ELECTORAL COMMISSION COMMITTEE

Circular EC34/2004

Oliver Heald: To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission what the status is of Electoral Commission Circular EC34/2004; and whether it is binding on local authorities.

Peter Viggers: The Electoral Commission informs me that it provides advice to electoral registration officers and returning officers by virtue of the provisions of section 10(3) of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000.
	Electoral registration officers undertake their statutory duties independently of local authorities. The Commission's advice is not binding on either electoral registration officers or local authorities.

Circular EC34/2004

Oliver Heald: To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission whether political parties were consulted before the publication of Circular EC34/2004 by the Electoral Commission.

Peter Viggers: The Electoral Commission informs me that it did not consult any political parties before issuing this circular. It is not the Commission's practice to consult parties on such circulars, which are statements either of the Commission's policy or of its understanding of the law.

Circular EC34/2004

Oliver Heald: To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission what estimate the Government have made of the impact on general election turnout of Electoral Commission Circular EC34/2004; and if he will make a statement.

Peter Viggers: This is a matter for the Department for Constitutional Affairs.

Departmental Expenditure

Oliver Heald: To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission what the total expenditure of the Electoral Commission has been in each year since its creation; and what the estimated budget is for the forthcoming year.

Peter Viggers: Total expenditure by the Electoral Commission in each of the years 2000–01 to 2003–04, and projected figures for the current financial year, are set out as follows. The figures for 2000–01 relate to the period from the inception of the Commission in November 2000. The Speaker's Committee will consider in the new year the financial provision to be made for the Commission in respect of 2005–06.
	
		
			  £ million 
		
		
			 2000–01 2.421 
			 2001–02 6.066 
			 2002–03 18.160 
			 2003–04 18.635 
			 2004–05 (projected) 28.621 
		
	
	Further detailed information is available in the Commission's annual reports and accounts, each of which has been laid before the House and is available in the Library.

Political Party Registration

Oliver Heald: To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission what steps the Electoral Commission are taking to prevent the malicious or confusing registration of party names by new political parties.

Peter Viggers: The Electoral Commission informs me that, provided an application by a party for registration complies with the registration requirements, it is required to grant the application unless the registered name proposed by the party meets any of the criteria set out in section 28(4) of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, or it includes any word or expression prohibited by the Registration of Political Parties (Prohibited Words and Expressions) Order 2001.
	The Commission has no power to refuse an application for registration on any other grounds relating to the proposed name.

Political Party Registration

Oliver Heald: To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission if the Electoral Commission will place in the Library the guidelines it follows when considering the registration of political parties' names.

Peter Viggers: The Electoral Commission informs me that it has procedures in place for managing the registration of political party names and emblems. These include an internal guidance document, which details the process to be followed in the registration of a political party and the legislative provisions to which the Commission must adhere in undertaking this process. A copy of this document will be placed in the Library.

Political Party Registration

Oliver Heald: To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission what advice the Government have given the Electoral Commission on (a) the registration of political parties' names and (b) preventing malicious or confusing registration of party names by new political parties.

Peter Viggers: The Electoral Commission informs me that is has not received any advice from the Government on (a) the registration of political parties' names or (b) preventing malicious or confusing registration of party names by new political parties.

Voting Lists

Oliver Heald: To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission what advice the Government have given the Electoral Commission on the provision of absent voting lists to political parties outside an election period.

Peter Viggers: The Electoral Commission informs me that it has received no advice from the Government on this matter.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

Iraq

Llew Smith: To ask the Solicitor-General how many pages the Attorney General's legal advice to Her Majesty's Government on the legality of initiating hostilities against Iraq produced in March 2003 comprised.

Harriet Harman: The information requested relates to the provision of confidential legal advice and is covered by legal professional privilege. It is therefore exempt from disclosure under paragraphs 2 and 4(d) of Part II of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Afghanistan

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what effect instability in Afghanistan is having on his Department's reconstruction effort in the country.

Hilary Benn: Security in Afghanistan is an urgent challenge facing the Afghan Government, especially in the South and East of the country where Taliban insurgents continue to encroach.
	In spite of fears that deterioration in the security situation would disrupt the Presidential elections, there were very few serious security incidents or reports of violence in the run-up to election or on the day itself. This was a credit to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), the Coalition and the Afghan Army and Police, who all contributed to maintaining security.
	Threats to the safety of Afghan and international staff have meant that some NGOs and international organisations are finding it increasingly difficult to operate in some parts of the country. So far, the Department for International Development's programme has not been significantly affected and difficulties exist only in specific areas. Organisations are doing an excellent job in working around these areas to continue providing assistance wherever possible. However, the overall effect on the provision of humanitarian aid and reconstruction is very serious.

Arab World (Sexual Health)

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment his Department has made of the recent statements by Mohammed Imad al-Daker, consultant on HIV/AIDS at UNICEF, concerning the role of the media in the Arab world with regard to sexual health education; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: DFID has not seen a full text of the interview concerned. But Mohammed Imad al-Daker's reported comments, for example on the need for a responsible media to disseminate correct information to help prevent the spread of HIV and AIDS seem most sensible. Proper consideration of women's rights taking into account the cultural values of the Arab world, along with strong national media awareness, are key to stemming the reported rapid increase of HIV/AIDS in the region.

Departmental Costs

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the total cost to his Department was for the use of external consultants in each of the last two years.

Hilary Benn: The cost to DFID for the use of external consultants in the last two years was as follows:
	2002–03: £221 million
	2003–04: £213 million.
	These figures differ slightly from the amounts recently published in Statistics on International Development and used in previous replies to parliamentary questions.
	DFID officials have reviewed expenditure entered on to the DFID database and identified payments, including grants to NGOs and international organisations, which had been wrongly classified as Personnel activities. This expenditure has now been recoded.
	The following table shows the changes made to the expenditure data for consultancies for the past five years. These amendments will be made to the copy of Statistics on International Development available on the DFID website.
	Spending on external consultants alone as a proportion of the total aid budget has fallen since 1997 from 10 per cent. to 5 per cent.
	
		DFID Programme: Bilateral Technical Co-operation -- £000
		
			  Personnel 
			  Consultancies Previous figures published in Table 12 of SID 
		
		
			 1999–2000 193,342 196,832 
			 2000–01 196,251 198,861 
			 2001–02 205,054 192,724 
			 2002–03 221,320 216,370 
			 2003–04 212,733 204,773

Departmental Files

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many departmental files have been destroyed in each of the past five years.

Hilary Benn: The Department for International Development maintains a database of all files raised in our three offices in the United Kingdom. However, individual departments and overseas offices are responsible for disposing of their own records, and the number of files destroyed is not held centrally. To obtain this information from the manual finding aids in the devolved registries would incur disproportionate costs.

Departmental Files

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what changes have been promulgated in each of the past five years to the guidelines or other criteria for the retention or destruction of departmental files.

Hilary Benn: Since 1999, the Department for International Development has produced 73 schedules for the disposal of records which are specific to its administrative activities. It also disposes of its records in accordance with over 20 guidance notes produced by The National Archives (TNA) over the last five years, covering disposal schedules, managing records in the electronic environment, as well as overarching records management guidance. Further details of this guidance can be found on TNA's website at: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/recordsmanagement/advice/

Invoices

Michael Fabricant: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the average length of time was between the date of invoices issued to his Department from a supplier and payment by the Department of the invoice in the last 12 months for which figures are available; what percentage of these invoices were paid within 30 days of the date of issue of the invoice; what percentage of these invoices remained unpaid after 90 days; and if he will make a statement on the Department's policy on the payment of invoices issued to it.

Hilary Benn: In the financial year ending March 2004 DFID received 28,359 invoices from suppliers. 96.26 per cent. were paid within 30 days of DFID being in receipt of a valid invoice. The average length of time to settle an invoice and make payment is estimated at 13 calendar days (unaudited figure). Some 80 invoices (0.28 per cent.) remained unpaid after 90 days.
	DFID has a clear and consistent policy on prompt payments which has been well publicised to staff. Procedures have been established for monitoring performance, identifying weaknesses and implementing remedial action as appropriate. DFID is a signatory to the Better Payment Practice Code, providing a clear signal that we take a responsible attitude to our relationship with suppliers.

Iraq

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what provision has been made for (a) housing, (b) feeding and (c) schooling for women and children who have left their homes in Fallujah as a result of coalition forces' action; and what arrangements will be made for these refugees to return to their homes.

Hilary Benn: The Iraqi Interim Government (IIG) is leading the humanitarian response to the situation in and around Fallujah. The IIG has established a Fallujah co-ordination team, to address the immediate needs of the displaced Fallujah population, and to plan for their safe return to the city. DFID is providing advice to the IIG Fallujah team on humanitarian, health, and coordination issues.
	The IIG, and DFID advisers working with the Iraqi Government, report that most of the displaced population are staying with host families or in public buildings. The IIG and some humanitarian agencies are supplying food, water, and medical supplies to these people, and shelter also to those who are not under hard cover. Iraqi Government Ministries have delivered mattresses, blankets, tents, and heaters to displaced families.
	The IIG is working with multi-national forces to ensure that Fallujah is safe from unexploded ordnance and insurgent activity, before the displaced population returns. The Iraqi Government have made provision for the rebuilding of family homes, and are also putting essential supplies in place for the returning families. The IIG is planning for the return of Fallujah's displaced people, which will be organised district-by-district, beginning at the end of December. The IIG, and United States agencies, are currently working on restoring essential services to the city of Fallujah, and have plans in place for long-term reconstruction work, including work on schools.

Ministerial Meetings

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will list his official engagements over the last six months; who was present at each meeting; what the (a) date and (b) location was of each meeting; what issues were discussed; and what plans he has to establish a public register of such information.

Hilary Benn: Ministers meet many individuals and organisations and attend many functions relating to Government business, and as part of the process of policy development. To provide the detailed information requested would incur disproportionate cost. The daily on-the-record briefing by the Prime Minister's Official Spokesman regularly provides details of Ministers' public engagements.

Sickness Absence

George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many day's sick leave were taken by civil servants in the Department in each year since 1997; and what the sickness absence rate was in each year.

Hilary Benn: Information on sickness absence in DFID for the years 2001 to 2003 is contained in the following table. The information for 1997 to 2000 could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	
		
			  Average working days absence per staff year Number of staff 
		
		
			 2001 8.3 1,391 
			 2002 8.0 1,611 
			 2003 7.0 1,696 
		
	
	DFID is fully committed to the effective management of sickness absence in common with other Government Departments. Earlier this year DFID introduced a new Maximising Attendance policy which is aimed at promoting good attendance management and provides processes that support staff on sick leave and encourage an early, and fit, return to work.

Sudan

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment his Department has made of reports of attacks on food aid convoys in Darfur; how many such attacks have been (a) reported and (b) confirmed in each month since April; what assessment his Department has made of the parties responsible for the attacks; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has reported approximately 25 incidents since April 2004. Of these, three were major incidents where staff were either kidnapped or killed.
	The African Union monitoring mission in Darfur is responsible for investigating ceasefire violations, including attacks on humanitarian convoys, and has found violations by all sides to this conflict. DFID has made it very clear that all parties must stop all attacks immediately and abide by the ceasefire and the Security and Humanitarian Protocols, including by ensuring unimpeded access for humanitarian workers and taking all steps to prevent attacks against civilians.
	Only through peaceful dialogue will a sustainable solution to the conflict in Darfur be found. So we are urging all sides to engage constructively at the peace talks in Abuja. A UK observer is present at these talks.

Uganda

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether he has received representations from (a) the authorities in Uganda and (b) his Department's in-country programme office in Kampala regarding termination of the Uganda Forest Sector Policy and Strategy Project.

Hilary Benn: On 13 December, DFID Uganda received a letter from Uganda's Minister of State for the Environment presenting his concerns about the implications of the completion of DFID's support for Uganda's forestry sector. DFID Uganda is in discussion with the Minister about his concerns. The final phase of DFID's Uganda Forest Sector Policy and Strategy Project began in 2001, and was scheduled to end in June 2003. Since then, DFID has granted the project two extensions to accommodate the slow pace of reform in the forestry sector. At the time of the last extension in June 2004, we agreed with the Ministry of Water, Lands and Environment that our support would formally end on 31 December 2004. The sector is well supported by other development partners.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Agency Staff

George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the membership is of the (a) Joint Nature Conservation Committee, (b) Advisory Committee on Business and Environment, (c) Advisory Committee on Consumer Products and the Environment, (d) Advisory Committee on Hazardous Substances, (e) Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment, (f) Agricultural Dwelling House Advisory Committee, (g) Agricultural Wages Board for England and Wales and (h) Agricultural Wages Committees for England; what the (i) cost of salaries and expenses to members and (ii) running cost of each body was in the last year for which figures are available; and how many staff are employed to service each body.

Alun Michael: The appointees to each of these bodies and the figures that are available are listed, subject to the qualifications as follows.
	(i) Membership is accurate as at 31 March 2004
	(ii) The total cost of salaries and expenses paid to members and the running costs for each committee are included with Defra's accounts but a re not separately identifiable. I have included the remuneration levels, as at 31 March 2004 and the total sponsorship cost to the department (which would include remuneration and expenses of members, administrative costs, research funding and any other cost to the department directly related to the sponsorship of the body) for the last financial year.
	(iii) Departmental staff service these bodies alongside a range of other duties but it is not possible to identify their numbers separately.
	(iv) The Advisory Committee on Business and Environment is no longer in existence.
	Joint Nature Conservation Committee
	(Chair vacant)
	Dr. Lucinda Blakiston-Houston
	Prof. Robert Dodgshon
	Mr. John Lloyd Jones, OBE
	Sir Martin Doughty
	Dr. Mike Moser
	Dr. John Faulkner
	Dr. John Markland, CBE
	Mr. Michael Scott
	Sir Ewen Cameron, DL
	Prof. Peter Doyle
	Prof. Richard John Pentreath
	Prof. David Ingram, OBE
	Appointed members receive £8,536 per annum
	Defra expenditure on sponsorship—£40,284
	Advisory Committee on Consumer Products and the Environment
	Dr. Alan P. Knight (Chair)
	Ms Julia P. Hailes
	Mrs. Alison Austin QBE
	Mr. Mark A. Barthel
	Dr. Frans Berkhout
	Mrs. Jane Bickerstaffe
	Mr. Tim T. S. Brown
	Mr. Anthony W Burton
	Mr. Pooran Desai
	Dr. Charlotte Grezo
	Mr. John D. Lawrence
	Mr. William S. Mccartney
	Ms Teresa M. K. Smallbone
	Dr. Phil Stubbs
	Mr. Francis J. Sullivan
	Ms Fiona Weir
	Chair and members are unpaid
	Defra expenditure on sponsorship—£46,000
	Advisory Committee on Hazardous Substances
	Prof. Jane Plant CBE (Chair)
	Dr. Stuart Dobson
	Dr. Gev Eduljee
	Dr. Paul Harrison
	Prof. Roy Harrison QBE
	Prof. Gabrielle Hawksworth
	Ms Gwynne Lyons
	Dr. Lorraine Maltby
	Prof. James Readman
	Prof. David Williams QBE
	Chair receives £193 per day and members receive £149 per day
	Defra expenditure on sponsorship—£16,114
	Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment
	Prof. Christopher J. Pollock (Chair)
	Prof. Jules N. Pretty
	Prof. Jim Dunwell
	Prof. Mark J. Bailey
	Prof. Jeffrey Stuart Bale
	Mr. Edward John Cross
	Dr. Susan E. Hartley
	Dr. Penelope Hirsch
	Dr. Philip Eric Hulme
	Prof. Keith Lindsey
	Mr. Jim Orson
	Dr. Mark Rees
	Dr. Jonathan Paul Stoye
	Chair receives £198 per meeting, members receive £153 per meeting
	Defra expenditure on sponsorship—£95,000
	Agricultural Dwelling House Advisory Committee
	Mrs. Pauline Allwood
	Mr. George A. Timothy Astbury
	Miss Patricia Norah Aston
	Mr. Christopher J. Barker
	Mr. George R. Bartaby
	Mrs. Margaret Beeny
	Mr. Barry Capon
	Mr. Allan Gerald Corless
	Mr. James Darlington
	Mr. William John Dyke
	Mr. Peter Parley
	Mr. Alan Felstead
	Mr. Michael Filer
	Ms Jeanette Irene Firrell
	Mrs. Simonie Fowler
	Miss Constance Ethel Fozzard
	Mr. Michael J. Harrison
	Mr. Michael A. Harrowven
	Mr. Andrew Brian Humphries
	Mr. Keith Johnson
	Mr. Trevor Jones
	Mr. Edward Thomas Kirby
	Mr. P. J. Longhurst
	Mr. Keith Arundel McDougall
	Mr. G. Miller
	Mr. Andrew Milner
	Mrs. Margaret Newbury
	Mr. Edward Orgill
	Mr. Harold Pollins
	Mr. J. Richardson
	Mrs. Gillian Noelle Rostron
	Mr. Peter Edward Sanders
	Mr. Desmond M. Saunders
	Mr. Peter G. Scates
	Mr. John C. Sinkins
	Mrs. E. Slade
	Mr. D. W. A. Stevens
	Miss Rosemary Prudence Thorne
	Mrs. D. Thornton
	When chosen to hear a case members are paid £114 per day
	Defra expenditure on sponsorship—£110,145 1
	Agricultural Wages Board for England and Wales
	Mr. John Derek Evans (Chair)
	Dr. Hugh Billot
	Prof. Gillian Morris
	Chair receives £242 per day, members receive £150 per day
	Defra expenditure on sponsorship—£6,000
	Agricultural Wages Committees
	Dr. Wilbye Belfield
	Mr. David Hill
	Mr. David Anthony Howard
	Mr. Keith Johnson
	Mrs. Gwendoline Lavender
	Mr. James Robert Leishman
	Mr. Alan Pendlebury
	Mr.Harold Pollins
	Mr. Ian Potter
	Mr. Ian Hughes Colin Powell
	Mr. Derek Ridout
	Canon Frank Scuffham
	Mr. John C. Sinkins
	Mr.Richard Tinn
	Mr. Roger Bailey Weaver
	When chosen to hear a case members receive £114 per day
	Defra expenditure on sponsorship—£110,145 1
	1 The sponsorship costs for the Agricultural Wages Committees and Agricultural Dwelling House Advisory Committees are combined due to the fact that the same Defra division is responsible for them.

Bee Disease

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many bee disease inspectors there were in each year since 1997; and how many she expects there to be in 2005–06.

Alun Michael: The number of bee inspectors employed by the National Bee Unit in England and Wales in each year since 1997 is set out in the table:
	
		
			  National bee inspector Regional bee inspectors Seasonal bee inspectors 
		
		
			 1997 — 10 35 
			 1998 — 10 34 
			 1999 — 8 38 
			 2000 — 8 39 
			 2001 — 8 39 
			 2002 — 8 38 
			 2003 1 8 39 
			 2004 1 8 36 
		
	
	In 2005–06, the National Bee Unit expects to employ the same number of bee inspectors as in 2004–05.

Bee Disease

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has held with Bee Disease Insurance Ltd. regarding her intended reductions to the Bee Health Programme.

Alun Michael: Defra officials met with representatives of Bee Diseases Insurance Ltd. on 24 November to discuss the possible impact of future plans for the bee health programme on its insurance scheme.
	Bee Diseases Insurance Ltd. was also represented when my noble friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Lords) met representatives of beekeepers on 23 November and at a meeting with Defra officials on 26 November.

Bee Disease

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many outbreaks of European Foulbrood have occurred in bee stocks in each year since 1997.

Alun Michael: The number of cases of European foul brood disease confirmed by the National Bee Unit in bee colonies in England and Wales in each year since 1997 is set out in the following table:
	
		
			  England Wales Total 
		
		
			 1997 721 27 748 
			 1998 837 36 873 
			 1999 853 13 866 
			 2000 1,007 34 1,041 
			 2001 816 23 839 
			 2002 649 18 667 
			 2003 653 20 673 
			 2004 672 19 691

Correspondence

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she will reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Totnes dated 22 October, concerning a constituent, Richard Jones, and the issue of recycling.

Alun Michael: A response to the hon. Member's letter is awaiting signature and will be sent shortly.

Departmental Advertising

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many television advertisements her Department has commissioned on (a) terrestrial and (b) satellite television channels in the last 12 months; and what the cost was in each case.

Alun Michael: The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has not commissioned any paid television advertising, for showing on terrestrial or satellite television channels in the last 12 months.

Departmental Files

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether it is the policy of the Department to retain for the benefit of future (a) historians and (b) applicants under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 the same (i) complete categories of files, (ii) numbers of files and (iii) representative examples of files from categories of files destroyed as had been preserved prior to the passage of that Act.

Alun Michael: In accordance with the Public Records Act 1958 S.3, the selection of records of enduring historical value for permanent preservation at The National Archives (TNA) will continue to take place in Defra under the guidance and supervision of TNA staff. The Department will also comply with the Code of Practice on Records Management, issued by the Lord Chancellor under S.46 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, which underlines the importance of having clear selection policies and disposal schedules in place.

Departmental Files

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many departmental files have been destroyed in each of the past five years.

Alun Michael: In accordance with its selection policies and disposal schedules, Defra has destroyed the following number of files in each of the last five years.
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 2000 (1)31,002 
			 2001 (2)25,475 
			 2002 57,694 
			 2003 57,796 
			 2004 (3)44,313 
		
	
	(1) Former MAFF files.
	(2) Includes former MAFF files.
	(3) Up to November.

Departmental Files

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what changes have been promulgated in each of the past five years to the guidelines or other criteria for the retention or destruction of departmental files.

Alun Michael: Since 1999, the Department has completely revised its General disposal schedule guidance. This has been replaced by a single generic schedule, together with 13 specialised schedules to date; work on others will continue to progress where other specialist business needs are identified These schedules provide for the disposal of records which are specific to Defra's administrative activities. It also disposes of its records in accordance with over 20 guidance notes produced by The National Archives (TNA) over the last five years, covering disposal schedules, managing records in the electronic environment, as well as overarching records management guidance. Further details of this guidance can be found on TNA's website at: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/recordsmanagement/advice.

Departmental Refurbishment

Sue Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the departmental refurbishment projects that (a) are in progress and (b) that will start in the next six months; what action is being taken to ensure that these will procure timber from legal and sustainable sources; and whether guidance will be issued to contractors on each of these projects to ensure that the timber used during refurbishment comes from legal and sustainable sources.

Alun Michael: Refurbishment projects currently in progress are located at:
	Nobel House, London
	55 Whitehall, London
	Whitehouse Lane, Cambridge
	Veterinary Investigation Centre, Sutton Bonington
	Veterinary Laboratories Agency, Weybridge (three projects)
	Polwhele AHU, Truro
	Chalfont Drive, Nottingham
	No other projects are planned to start within the next three months. All are programmed for completion in 2004–05. Funding for 2005–06 refurbishment projects has not yet been allocated so it is not possible to confirm projects which might start within the first three months of 2005–06.
	It is Defra policy to use only timber procured from sustainable and legal sources in all building and refurbishment projects. Contract conditions require suppliers and contractors to notify the Department of the source of all virgin timber supplied, including details of the forest or plantation where it was grown and all subsequent places of delivery through the supply chain prior to receipt. They must provide documentary evidence of source from a relevant body that complies with ISO Guide 65: 1996 (EN 45011:1998) General Requirements for Bodies Operating Product Certification Schemes, and who is accredited to audit against forest management standards by a national or international body. This latter body must also be compliant with ISO Guide 61 General Requirements for Assessment and Accreditation of Certification Bodies. Contractors also have an obligation to ensure that timber derives from legally felled trees according to the laws operating in the country of origin.

Document Shredding

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much her Department has spent on acquiring shredding equipment for office use in each year since 1997.

Alun Michael: The Department does not collate centrally information on the procurement of shredding equipment for office use and this could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Document Shredding

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many staff hours have been spent shredding documents in each month since January.

Alun Michael: The Department does not collate information on the number of staff hours spent shredding documents and this could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Document Shredding

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what factors underlie the increase in the rate of files shredded by her Department since January 2003; and if she will make a statement.

Alun Michael: Defra continues to implement well established policies and procedures for the review and disposal of files in accordance with its administrative needs and the Public Records Act.
	The estimated number of Defra files destroyed in 2004 (48,341) is likely to be below the number of files destroyed in both 2002 (57,694) and 2003 (57, 796).

Document Shredding

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the criteria used to decide which documents and files should be shredded; and what mechanism exists to ensure that documents and files are not destroyed for other reasons.

Alun Michael: Defra keeps records for as long as they are needed for administrative and business purposes. Records of enduring historical value are selected for permanent preservation under the guidance and supervision of the National Archives "on the basis of guidelines which are published on the National Archives website at: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/recordsmanagement/advice/".

Equipment Leasing

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the equipment leasing arrangements entered into by her Department in each of the last two years; and what the cost is to public funds in each case.

Alun Michael: From information held centrally, the cost to public funds of equipment leasing arrangements entered into by the core Department in each of the last two years is £1,257,143 for financial year 2002–03 and £512,293 for financial year 2003–04. The leasing arrangements covered photocopiers, postal franking machines and other miscellaneous office equipment.

Fisheries

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proportion of the total EU fishing catch was taken in waters within the (a) UK 12 mile limit and (b) UK 200 mile or median line limit in the last year for which figures are available, broken down by species.

Ben Bradshaw: Information on the catches by vessels of other member states is only available in terms of totals for the sea areas involved, and this does not include any breakdown of catches in terms of those caught within the UK 12-mile limit or within the UK 200 mile or median line limit. As such, the information requested is not available, and could be made available only through requesting such information from the individual member states concerned.

Gyms

George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many gyms are available to staff in the Department; and what the cost of providing them was in the last year for which figures are available.

Alun Michael: The Department has five gymnasiums on its estate. These make an important contribution to the health and well-being of Defra staff but it is difficult to reflect this in terms of monetary value. The cost of these for the year 2003–04 is £82,500 for rent and rates although some are located in basement areas with limited alternative uses. There would also be an unquantifiable cost for utilities. The gymnasiums are run by the members who pay from their own resources for equipment, training and any other operational charges.

Horse Passports

Mark Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many horse passports have been issued to date, broken down by issuing authority.

Alun Michael: The following is a list of the most recent figures that English Passport Issuing Organisations (PIOs) have submitted to Defra. Fifty-three out of fifty-eight (53/58) have submitted such information. No figures have been received from five organisations, Appaloosa Horse Club, British Bravian Warmblood Association, British Morgan Horse Society, British Warmblood Association and Friesan Horse Society GB.
	Additionally, there is one organisation (British Horse Database) that has ceased trading. The passports that were issued by this organisation remain valid and are updated by Weatherbys.
	
		
			 Names of passport issuing organisations Passports issued 
		
		
			 American Miniature Horse Club 5 
			 American Saddlebred Association GB 183 
			 Anglo European Studbook 11,175 
			 American Quarter Horse Association—UK 937 
			 Arab Horse Society 15,659 
			 British Appaloosa Society 1,020 
			 British Association Purebred Spanish Horse Ltd. 400 
			 British Connemara Pony Society 2,031 
			 British Driving Society 15,603 
			 British Falabella Studbook 9 
			 British Hanoverian Horse Society 600 
			 British Harness Racing Club 521 
			 British Horse Society 20,900 
			 British Miniature Horse Society 1470 
			 British Palomino Society 467 
			 British Percheron Horse Society 775 
			 British Show Jumping Association (BSJA) 2,944 
			 British Skewbald and Piebald Association 694 
			 British Spotted Pony Society 710 
			 Caspian Breed Society UK 152 
			 Caspian Horse Society 165 
			 Cleveland Bay Horse Society 2,000 
			 Dales Pony Society 1,328 
			 Dartmoor Pony Society 4,674 
			 Donkey Breed Society 4,900 
			 EquiCours/Selle Francais 18 
			 Exmoor Pony Society 1,418 
			 Farmkey 10,494 
			 Gypsy Cob Society 159 
			 Hackney Horse Society 718 
			 Haflinger Society 510 
			 Horse Passport Agency 52,008 
			 Horse Passports Ltd. 1,331 
			 Hurlingham Polo Association 4,440 
			 Icelandic Horse Society 434 
			 Irish Draught Horse Society GB 14,000 
			 Lipizzaner Society of GB 171 
			 Lustiano Breed Society GB 185 
			 Miniature Mediterranean Donkey Association 218 
			 National Pony Society 8,830 
			 New Forest Pony Breeding and Cattle Society 9,962 
			 Pet ID UK 35,316 
			 Pleasure Horse Society 12,500 
			 Shire Horse Society 3,487 
			 Sport Horse Breeding of GB 17,546 
			 Sports Pony Studbook Society 292 
			 Spotted Horse and Pony Society 1,582 
			 Spotted Pony Breed Society GB 497 
			 Suffolk Horse Society 181 
			 Trakehner Breeders Fraternity 876 
			 United Saddlebred Association—UK 134 
			 Weatherbys ID 34,686 
			 Weatherbys thoroughbred 173,325 
			 Total 474,640

National Forest Company

George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many people are employed by the National Forest Company; what its running cost was in the last year for which figures are available; and if she will make a statement on its future.

Alun Michael: The total staff complement of the National Forest Company in 2003–04 was 17.5. The Company's actual running cost expenditure for that year was £1,096,674.
	The National Forest Company will continue aiding the economic, social and environmental sustainability of the north midlands by developing a major forest resource there.

Pesticide Run-Off

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the latest research on pesticide run-off into water supplies; and what her Department's advice on sheep dipping is.

Alun Michael: Earlier research indicated that surface runoff from crop protection pesticides applied in the field to adjacent surface water was low compared to the amount that reached surface waters from field drains or applications of herbicides to man made surfaces. Therefore recent research has concentrated on pesticide movement from the field to surface waters via field drainage systems. This research has shown that recommendations on the timing of applications were critical for minimising water concentrations.
	Defra has now commissioned a project looking into the scientific basis for mitigation differentiated by soil type to reduce pesticide transport to surface waters in drain flow. The results of this work are expected towards the end of 2007. The Department has also recently completed research that developed a model to estimate pesticide concentrations that arise from run-off from hard man made surfaces to surface water.
	The Environment Agency is also funding development of a Decision Support tool which will enable us to determine the environmental impact of different land use combinations. Within this tool will be a module that considers pesticide impacts. This tool will be available within 1–2 years.
	Since 1 April 1995 the sale and supply of OP based sheep dips has been restricted to only those people holding a Certificate of Competence. The Certificate of Competence scheme is run by the National Proficiency Tests Councils (NPTC) and covers all aspects of the use of sheep dips and of dip disposal.
	In 1998 an advisory booklet (AS29) entitled "Sheep Dipping" was produced jointly by HSE; SEPA; VMD and the Environment Agency. The booklet provides detailed guidance on sheep dipping including the correct disposal of sheep dip. This booklet was sent to all sheep farmers in 1994 and again in 1998 and is available free of charge from the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) and online: www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/as29.htm.

Special Advisers

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether departmental special advisers have written to external (a) bodies and (b) individuals in their official capacity since May 1997.

Alun Michael: I refer to the answer given by my hon. Friend, the then Minister of State for the Cabinet Office (Ruth Kelly) on 14 December 2004, Official Report, column 1004W.

Taskforces

Mark Francois: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much her Department spent on task forces and similar bodies in each year since 1997.

Alun Michael: The Department cannot separately identify within its accounts the amount spent on task forces and similar bodies.

WALES

Departmental Files

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what changes have been promulgated in each of the past five years to the guidelines or other criteria for the retention or destruction of departmental files.

Don Touhig: Since 1999, the Department has produced no schedules for the disposal of records, which are specific to its administrative activities. It also disposes of its records in accordance with over 20 guidance notes produced by The National Archives (TNA) over the last five years, covering disposal schedules, managing records in the electronic environment, as well as overarching records management guidance. Further details of this guidance can be found on TNA's website at: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/recordsmanagement/advice.

Plant Health

Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales pursuant to the answer of 8 December 2004, Official Report, columns 547–48W, on National Assembly for Wales, when responsibility for powers relating to plant health was transferred from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to the National Assembly for Wales; and under what legislation the transfer was effected.

Don Touhig: Functions under the Plant Health Act 1967 and functions under the Plant Varieties Act 1997 (except the functions of "the Ministers" so far as exercisable by a Minister of the Crown other than the Secretary of State for Wales under sections 2,11, 18, 27 to 29, Schedule 1 and paragraphs 7, 14 and 15 of Schedule 3) were transferred to the National Assembly for Wales by the National Assembly for Wales (Transfer of Functions) Order 1999 (S.I. 1999/672).
	Functions of the Secretary of State under the Marketing of Vegetable Plant Material Regulations 1995 and the Marketing of Fruit Plant Material Regulations 1995 were transferred to the National Assembly of Wales by the National Assembly for Wales (Transfer of Functions) Order 2000 (S.I. 2000/253).

Special Advisers

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales on how many occasions between 31 March 2003 and 31 March 2004 departmental special advisers travelled (a) domestically and (b) abroad in an official capacity; what places were visited; and how much each visit cost.

Peter Hain: In the financial year 2003–04, Wales Office special advisers did not make any visits overseas in an official capacity. Within the UK special advisers will on occasion accompany their Ministers on official visits. Information on such visits and their cost is not separately identifiable and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. All travel by special advisers is undertaken in accordance with the guidelines set out in the "Ministerial Code and the Civil Service Management Code".

PRIME MINISTER

Christmas Cards

David Davis: To ask the Prime Minister 
	(1)  how many hours of his staff time were taken up in preparation of Christmas cards in 2004;
	(2)  how many of his staff have responsibility for preparing Christmas cards;
	(3)  what percentage of his official Christmas cards included a contribution to charity in their cost; and which charities benefited from such a contribution;
	(4)  what the cost of postage was for his official Christmas cards in (a) 2003 and (b) 2004;
	(5)  what the cost was of purchasing his official Christmas cards in (a) 2003 and (b) 2004;
	(6)  how many official Christmas cards he sent in (a) 2003 and (b) 2004.

Tony Blair: In 2003 I sent approximately 1,600 official Christmas cards at a cost of £350. This year I shall be sending approximately 1,900 official Christmas cards at a cost of £405. The dispatch and staff time for posting those cards is made in accordance with the departmental guidance on financial procedures and propriety, based on the principles set out in "Government Accounting". The company that supplies the cards makes a donation to charity. In 2003 this was Weston Spirit, a national youth charity tackling issues of social exclusion in young people.

Departmental Staff

Keith Vaz: To ask the Prime Minister 
	(1)  how many of the staff employed by his Department have a declared disability;
	(2)  how many women there are in senior positions in his Department.

Tony Blair: The Cabinet Office collects and publishes annually statistical information on the Civil Service by Department. These include data on the number of women in senior positions in Departments and on the number of staff who have a declared disability.
	The latest information at April 2004 is available in the Library and on the Civil Service website and the following addresses.
	http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/management_information/statistical_information/statistics/publications/xls/gender_ apr04_4nov04.xls
	http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/management_information/statistical_information/statistics/publications/xls/disability_ apr04_4nov04.xls

Freedom of Information Act

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Prime Minister how many staff in his Department have been employed to deal with Freedom of Information Act 2000 issues in (a) 2001, (b) 2002, (c) 2003 and (d) 2004; and how many staff are budgeted to deal with Freedom of Information Act 2000 issues in (i) 2005 and (ii) 2006.

Tony Blair: It is difficult to identify precisely the number of officials who will be dealing with Freedom of Information issues from 1 January 2005, since it is potentially part of every civil servant's role to respond to Freedom of Information requests.

Freedom of Information Act

John Hayes: To ask the Prime Minister if he will place in the Library a list of those documents held by his Office that (a) may be disclosed under Freedom of Information Act 2000 provisions and (b) have been destroyed within the preceding four months, that pertain to (i) the European Constitution and (ii) the criteria for acceding to the euro.

Tony Blair: The Freedom of Information Act establishes a general statutory right of access to information. Once implemented, on 1 January 2005, a person who writes to a public authority and asks for information will have the right to be told whether or not the authority has the information and, if so, to have that information communicated to them, subject to clearly defined exemptions. Every piece of information held must be considered individually; therefore to consider every document held pertaining to the European Constitution and the criteria for acceding to the Euro and to identify which might be disclosed could be achieved only at disproportionate cost since the information requested is not immediately available.
	My office keeps records for as long as they are needed for administrative and business purposes. Records of enduring historical value are selected for permanent preservation under the guidance and supervision of the National Archives, on the basis of guidelines which are published on the National Archives website at: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/recordsmanagement/advice/

Gangmasters

Geraldine Smith: To ask the Prime Minister if he will set up an inquiry into the co-ordination of policy and the issuing of press statements by the Home Office and the Department for Trade and Industry regarding the regulation of gangmasters prior to the deaths of cocklers in Morecambe Bay.

Tony Blair: I refer my hon. Friend to the afternoon press briefing given by my official spokesman on 14 December 2004, a copy of which is available on the Number 10 website.

Mr. Alistair Campbell

Julian Lewis: To ask the Prime Minister 
	(1)  for what reasons telephone calls intended for Mr. Alistair Campbell are officially routed to Mr. David Hill's secretary;
	(2)  what proportion of the salary of Mr. David Hill's secretary is attributed to the handling of telephone calls for Mr. Alistair Campbell;
	(3)  what official responsibility Mr. David Hill has for (a) consulting and (b) liaising with Mr. Alistair Campbell;
	(4)  what role is played by Mr. Alistair Campbell in continuing to (a) advise and (b) be consulted by Government.

Tony Blair: Alastair Campbell is no longer employed as a special adviser. He therefore has no role in advising Government and is not provided with any official support or resources.

Parliamentary Questions

Norman Baker: To ask the Prime Minister to how many written parliamentary questions he responded with an answer which included the formulation, 'I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave . . .' during the 2003–04 parliamentary session; and what percentage of answers in that session this represents.

Tony Blair: This information is not held in the format requested. However, it is a matter of public record and can be found in the Official Report.

Working Time Regulations

Graham Brady: To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to his answer of 13 December 2004, Official Report, column 823, on the Working Time Regulations, how many and what percentage of officials in his private office have signed a waiver under the Working Time Regulations.

Tony Blair: I have nothing further to add to my answer of 13 December 2004, Official Report, column 823W.

CABINET OFFICE

Correspondence

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what his target time is in 2004–05 (a) to reply to letters from hon. Members and (b) for the officials in his office to reply to letters received directly from members of the public.

Alan Milburn: When the Duchy of Lancaster receives letters addressed to me as Chancellor drafting is undertaken by the Duchy of Lancaster office and we aim to respond within seven days.

Equipment Leasing

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the equipment leasing arrangements entered into by the Duchy in each of the last two years; and what the cost is to public funds in each case.

Alan Milburn: The Duchy of Lancaster has not undertaken any equipment leasing arrangements over the past two years.

IT Contracts

Roger Godsiff: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what the (a) projected cost at the time of tender and (b) actual cost at the time of completion was for each IT contract commissioned by the Duchy over the last five years.

Alan Milburn: The Duchy of Lancaster has not entered into any major information technology (IT) projects over the last five years, save for the construction of its website, which was completed on budget.

TRANSPORT

Bus Lanes

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many accidents took place in bus lanes in each year since 1997.

Alistair Darling: The number of accidents involving at least one road user in a bus lane for the years 1999 to 2003 are shown in the table. Information is not available prior to 1999.
	
		
			  Number of accidents 
		
		
			 1999 927 
			 2000 851 
			 2001 1,058 
			 2002 1,012 
			 2003 1,035

Car Insurance

Julie Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will estimate the average cost of car insurance for newly qualified drivers under the age of 25 years.

David Jamieson: The insurance industry estimates that the average cost of car insurance for all drivers is £370. No separate estimates are available for the average costs for newly qualified drivers under the age of 25.

Departmental Expenditure

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the cost of (a) new builds, (b) demolition rebuilds and (c) private finance initiative projects in his Department in each of the last two years.

Charlotte Atkins: There were no new builds, demolition re-builds and PFI projects in DfT Central in 2002–03 and 2003–04 but the costs for the Department's agencies are shown in the table:
	
		£ million
		
			  2002–03 2003–04 
			 DfT Unit New Build Demo Rebuild PFI Projects (m) New Build Demo Rebuild PFI Projects 
		
		
			 Driving Standards Agency 0 1.237 0 0 0 0 
			 Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority 0 0 0 5.667 0 0.570 
			 Highways Agency 0.900 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Maritime Coastguards Agency 0.135 0.406 0 0.331 0.007 0 
			 Vehicle and Operator Services Agency 4.121 0.500 0 0.174 0 0 
			 Total 5.156 2.143 0 6.172 0.007 0.570

Departmental Refurbishment

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what his estimate is of the cost of building refurbishment carried out by his Department in each of the last two years.

Charlotte Atkins: The cost of building refurbishment in the DfT over each of the last two years are shown in the table:
	
		£ million
		
			 DfT Unit Refurbishment cost 2002–03 Refurbishment costs 2003–04 
		
		
			 DfT Headquarters 0.298 1.303 
			 Air Accidents Investigation Branch 0 0.071 
			 Driving Standards Agency 0.264 0.217 
			 Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (4)4.118 (4)4.665 
			 Highways Agency 1.837 0.812 
			 Marine Accident Investigation Branch 0.137 0 
			 Maritime and Coastguard Agency 4.930 2.621 
			 Vehicle and Operator Services Agency 0.212 0.063 
			 Vehicle Certification Agency 0 0 
			 Total 11.796 9.751 
		
	
	(4) For these two years DVLA's main office refurbishment costs were not separately recorded as they were included in general maintenance costs. To provide some idea of refurbishment costs in these two years the estimated maintenance costs per annum are approximately £1.2 million.

European Railway Agency

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the role of the European Railway Agency.

Tony McNulty: I refer the hon. Member to the second paragraph of my answer of 14 December 2004, Official Report, column 1013W.

Human Rights Act

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many cases have been brought against his Department under the Human Rights Act 1998; and what the cost has been in (a) legal fees to defend cases and (b) compensation payments.

Charlotte Atkins: The Human Rights Act has given rise to little specific litigation against the Department for Transport. Where HR points are taken, they are mostly taken in support of other causes of action, which makes them very difficult to count separately.
	The subjects of the convention rights themselves are, to a very great extent, already actionable in existing domestic law.
	For these reasons it would not be possible to apportion costs and compensation payments as requested without reviewing all the cases handled by the Department since October 2000, which would give rise to disproportionate cost.

M6 Toll Road

Michael Fabricant: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what steps his Department is taking to ensure that emergency vehicles with activated blue light beacons are not hindered at toll booths when exiting the M6 toll road; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  if he will make a statement on the conditions of use of the M6 toll road by official emergency vehicles.

David Jamieson: Under the statutory Order governing tolling at the M6 toll road (The Birmingham Northern Relief Road Toll Order 1998 (SI 1998/124)), police vehicles, fire engines and ambulances are exempt from toll charges.
	The M6 toll road concessionaire, Midland Expressway Limited (MEL), has primary responsibility for the operation of the M6 toll road during the lifetime of the concession agreement. Therefore, it is for MEL to ensure that adequate procedures are in place so that emergency vehicles are not unduly hindered when using the toll road.
	As regards the Government's policy towards the charging of emergency vehicles for using other toll roads, this generally depends on the legislation governing the tolled undertaking. However, in the consultation paper "Breaking the logjam", published in March 1999, about giving local authorities powers to bring in road user charging schemes, the Government stated that it
	". . . does not consider it to be appropriate to charge vehicles used by the emergency services . . .".

M6 Toll Road

Michael Fabricant: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his Department's policy is towards the charging of emergency vehicles for using (a) the M6 toll road and (b) other toll roads; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: I refer the hon. Member to my answer given earlier today (UIN 203346).

Metro Line 3

Ross Cranston: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the impact on the start date for Metro Line 3 of the Jacobs Inquiry into the Metro extension in Birmingham; and if he will make a statement.

Charlotte Atkins: I understand that the study is still under way; when it is complete it will be for Birmingham city council to consider the way forward in discussion with the West Midlands Passenger Transport Executive, Centro.

Rail (Bicycles)

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions (a) he and (b) the Strategic Rail Authority has had with train companies about their policies regarding the carrying of bicycles on trains; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: There have been no discussions between Ministers and train operating companies about their cycling policies. The Strategic Rail Authority consulted widely with industry stakeholders, including the Association of Train Operating Companies, and the public about its Cycling Policy, published on 11 November 2004. Copies of the Cycling Policy are in the Library of the House.

Strategic Rail Authority

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport by what mechanisms Strategic Rail Authority staff's pay and conditions will be protected if they transfer to its replacement organisation in his Department.

Tony McNulty: The Government's policy as set out in the Cabinet Office Statement of Practice on Public Sector Transfers commits it to apply TUPE principles to these transfers even where TUPE may not apply as a matter of law.
	The Railways Bill will make provision for transfers of staff from the Strategic Rail Authority to the Department for Transport to be effected by means of transfer schemes. These schemes will provide for the transfer of staff contracts, and will preserve existing terms and conditions, continuity of employment and length of service.

Railways

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps his Department is taking to encourage Network Rail to improve the conditions in (a) railway stations and (b) railway arches.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 16 December 2004
	There are approximately 2,500 stations on the national network. Network Rail owns all of these but directly manages only the largest 17. Any substantial improvements to these stations are currently specified by the Strategic Rail Authority and delivered by Network Rail. Over the past five years significant redevelopments have been delivered to several major stations. Recently completed projects include Leeds station which has undergone a £245 million modernisation to improve train capacity and passenger facilities; Manchester Piccadilly, where works costing £100 million to improve the station layout, accessibility, environment and roof were completed in 2003; and London Waterloo, where roof improvements completed in 2003 cost £41 million.
	Examples of planned improvements include all Network Rail stations in London benefiting from increased CCTV coverage. In addition, the Scottish Executive are funding the design development phase of works to Edinburgh Waverley station, at a cost of £3.7 million.
	Network Rail advises that it is continuing to manage and invest in its commercial arches portfolio. In the financial year 2003–04, the company invested £20.46 million in this area of the business and has budgeted £18.9 million for 2004–05 to upgrade its arch portfolio.
	Network Rail will write directly to the hon. Member to outline its operational work in further detail and with specific reference to his constituency.

Railways

John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many crimes against a person have been committed at (a) rail stations that meet secure station status and (b) all other stations in each year since 1997, broken down by gender of the victims and incident type.

Tony McNulty: The Secure Station Scheme was launched in 1998 with the aim of improving security and the perception of security at railway stations. The Scheme is optional, and once a station is accredited, the accreditation lasts for two years. Currently there are 168 stations accredited to the scheme.
	In order to provide a detailed response to the question posed, the British Transport Police (BTP) have informed me that disproportionate levels of resources would need to be applied to conducting the research and analysis of the data. This would incur significant financial and opportunity costs. I am therefore unable to provide a full answer to the question.
	However, BTP have provided a Force level breakdown, by gender, of crimes against the person for 1998–99 onwards.
	
		Force wide
		
			  Assaults Sexual offences Robbery Theft 
			  Male Female Male Female Male Female Male Female 
		
		
			 1998–99 1,553 347 97 1,095 1,571 237 1,659 4,645 
			 1999–2000 1,552 362 94 998 1,768 275 2,965 8,545 
			 2000–01 3,583 1,150 89 1,064 2,164 314 2,940 5,262 
			 2001–02 3,918 1,206 93 997 2,817 476 3,923 3,961 
			 2002–03 4,800 1,294 84 862 2,188 370 7,519 8,416 
			 2003–04 5,539 1,885 103 1,068 1,805 382 6,086 6,267 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Due to the changes in Home Office counting rules in recording crime, introduced in April 1998, data prior to that date are non-comparable.
	2. BTP adopted the National Crime Recording Standards in April 2002 and this has contributed to the increase in recorded crime figures.

Road Accidents

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the number of road accidents involving (a) fatalities, (b) serious injuries, (c) minor injuries and (d) damages and in which a contributory factor was (i) alcohol, (ii) illegal drugs and (iii) legal pharmaceuticals in the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: It is provisionally estimated that there were 560 fatalities, 2,580 serious and 15,870 minor injuries in 2003 as a result of accidents where at least one driver was over the legal alcohol limit. Information regarding damage-only accidents is not available.
	Equivalent estimates of casualties in road accidents where the use of legal or illegal drugs was a contributory factor are not available, as routine accident reports do not currently record contributory factors to accidents. However, under a pilot scheme, information on contributory factors to road accidents has been collected by 15 police forces. The influence of drugs was recorded as a contributory factor in about 1 per cent. of injury accidents recorded under this pilot scheme in both 2002 and 2003.

Traffic Management Act

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what the timetable is for (a) consultation and (b) implementation of regulations to be introduced in 2005 under the provisions of the Traffic Management Act 2004;
	(2)  what his latest estimate is of the costs that will be borne by (a) electricity, (b) gas, (c) water and (d) telecommunications companies in 2005 arising from the provisions of the Traffic Management Act 2004;
	(3)  whether he intends to exempt operations in non-traffic sensitive streets from permit schemes to be introduced under the Traffic Management Act 2004;
	(4)  what local authority administration costs are to be allowable in calculating the fee for permits issued under the Traffic Management Act 2004; and when he expects to announce the fee levels.

Charlotte Atkins: We hope to go out to consultation on proposals for permit schemes under part 3 of the Traffic Management Act 2004, and on draft regulations under part 4 of the Act on various powers for local authorities to control utility street works including directing or restricting the carrying out of works, and for fixed penalty notices for certain street works offences, early in 2005. We will be starting work on regulations for other provisions in the Act during the course of next year.
	We are still finalising the details of the new provisions, including permit fee levels, exemptions from the requirement for a permit and the possible cost implications of this for utility companies and others.

Train Horns

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  if he will impose on train operating companies either a (a) mandatory modification of existing train horns or a (b) retrofitting of alternative train horns to reduce the decibel output of such horns to meet the Rail Safety and Standards Board's recent reduction in the minimum volume requirements in order that the train operating companies can recover the costs of such work;
	(2)  what discussions his Department has had with train operating companies regarding (a) modification of existing train horns and (b) retrofitting of alternative horns in response to the reduction by the Rail Safety and Standards Board of the minimum decibel volume required for such horns.

Tony McNulty: There have been no discussions between the Department and train operating companies on the issue of train horns. The Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) is responsible for specifying the requirements for when and where train horns must be used and Network Rail is responsible for deciding how train operators comply with them.

Train Protection Systems

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which different train protection systems are in use; and what timescales are involved in moving to a fully comprehensive system.

Tony McNulty: The Train Protection and Warning System and the Automatic Warning System are both fitted on a comprehensive basis across Network Rail's infrastructure. In addition, versions of British Rail's automatic train protection system are fitted on sections of the Great Western and Chiltern lines. The European Rail Traffic Management System is under development and scheduled to be trialled on the Cambrian line in 2007–08.

Transport Council

Jimmy Hood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the outcome was of the Transport Council held on 9 to 10 December; what the Government's stance was on the issues discussed, including its voting record; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: A transport session of the Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council met in Brussels on 9 and 10 December. I represented the UK, together with Nicol Stephen of the Scottish Executive.
	Following a debate on liability and compensation for damage from oil pollution at sea, the Presidency drew Conclusions. These incorporated wording which I had proposed, stressing the need to ensure that effective financial responsibility is exercised on the part of those involved in transportation of oil by sea, and the need for appropriate revision of the relevant provisions of the 1992 Civil Liability Convention (CLC) and the 1992 International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund (IOPCF). The UK wording was supported in the Council by several other member states.
	The Commission presented a revised proposal for a Directive on market access to port services. I joined a number of other Ministers in expressing strong reservations about this proposal, which replaces the one rejected by the European Parliament following Conciliation. I pointed out that, while the UK welcomes liberalisation and market opening, some aspects of this new proposal would not help the port sector's development. It is far less satisfactory than the Conciliation text in a number of key areas. The proposal will have a major impact on the ports and shipping sectors, and there is a compelling case for further consultation with stakeholders and an extended impact assessment. These issues will be pursued in the detailed negotiation by the Council Working Group, which will now begin.
	The Council reached Political Agreement on a Regulation introducing uniform application of the International Safety Management Code in EU member states, and reached a General Approach on a Directive on recognition of seafarers' certificates. Both are acceptable to the UK. The latter corrects an imbalance between EU member states' recognition of certificates issued by other member states and the procedure required under the Convention of the International Maritime Organisation.
	The Council reached a General Approach on a draft Directive on train driver licensing. The agreed compromise text allows individual member states to seek a 10- year derogation (which can be extended) from the licensing system for drivers working only on domestic routes in that State, should a cost benefit analysis show that its application to such drivers would not be worthwhile. This compromise reflects concerns, which I and others had expressed, regarding its application to those drivers—98 per cent. of the UK total. With those concerns met, I was able to accept the proposal.
	The Council agreed Conclusions formalising the outcome of the Ministerial Conference on road safety held in Verona in October. The Conclusions, which are acceptable to the UK, stressed the need for co-operation and exchange of best practice between member states. The Commission informed the Council that it would review progress on the EU road safety action plan in 2005.
	The Council reached a partial Political Agreement (Articles only) on a proposal for a Directive amending technical standards for inland waterway vessels, including passenger vessels. The agreed text is acceptable to the UK. When the Annexes have been agreed the Council can reach a Common Position on the proposal.
	The Council agreed Conclusions on the movement to the deployment and operational phases of the Galileo satellite navigation programme. The Conclusions confirm the services to be developed within the programme. They also confirm: that Galileo should be a civil system under civil control; and that final agreement on the deployment and operational phases should be subject to a risk allocation, including final costs, which is acceptable to the public sector. The UK, supported by Austria, entered a minutes statement, stressing the importance for Council of giving its considered opinion on the results of the negotiations, in particular on the balance of risk allocation between public and private sectors, before the final contract is signed (probably in late 2005). In the expectation that Council's views would be taken into account, the UK was able to accept the Conclusions.
	There was an oral progress report on a draft Regulation establishing a legal basis for the financing of the Galileo programme during the deployment and commercial operating phases.
	The Council reached a General Approach on a draft Directive which transposes Eurocontrol's common licence for air traffic controllers into Community law. The text was acceptable to the UK.
	The Council reached a partial Political Agreement (the Articles and Subparts O and Q of the Annexes) on a draft Regulation on harmonising technical requirements and administrative procedures in the field of civil aviation (EU OPS). Subpart O covers cabin crew training requirements and Subpart Q covers Flight Time Limitation rules. The agreed texts were acceptable to the UK. A Common Position can be adopted after agreement on the remaining Annexes.
	Subject to a minutes statement that member states can improve their existing bilateral air service agreements, the Council agreed mandates for the Commission to open air transport negotiations with certain Western Balkan countries and with Morocco. These mandates are acceptable to the UK.
	No votes were taken at this Council.

Young Persons' Railcard

Oliver Letwin: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent assessment he has made of (a) the terms of the Young Persons' Railcard and (b) the utility to young people seeking training or education of the Young Persons' Railcard.

Tony McNulty: None. The Young Person's Railcard offers one third off a range of rail tickets and travelcards. A minimum fare applies in the morning peak. There are no current proposals to extend the scope of this Railcard or to introduce special arrangements for students. Local authorities can and do facilitate local schemes with the train operating companies for student travel to schools and colleges.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

Child Care

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many day care places by each type of provider there were in the city of Newcastle upon Tyne in each year from 1996 to 2001; and how many registered child care places by each type of provider there were in (a) April 2003, (b) April 2004 and (c) October 2004.

Margaret Hodge: holding answer 8 December 2004
	The information is not available in the form requested. The available information on child care places and nursery education places is shown in the tables. The available information on child care places, for Newcastle upon Tyne local authority area, is shown in Tables 1 and 2.
	
		Table 1: Number(5)(6) of registered child care places for children under eight years of age by type of care— Newcastle upon Tyne local authority area -- Position at 31 March each year 2003 and 2004
		
			 Type of care 2003 2004 
		
		
			 Full day care 1,400 1,800 
			 Sessional day care 1,300 1,200 
			 Childminders 1,600 1,700 
			 Out of school day care 1,700 1,900 
			 Creche day care 700 700 
		
	
	(5) Rounded to the nearest 100 places.
	(6) Data Source: Ofsted
	
		Table 2 Number(7)(8) of day care places for children under eight years of age by type of provider—Newcastle upon Tyne local authority area -- Position at 31 March each year 1997–2001
		
			 Type of provider 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 
		
		
			 Day nurseries 1,100 1,100 1,100 1,200 1,200 
			 Playgroups and pre-schools 1,300 1,300 1,300 1,300 1,300 
			 Childminders 1,800 n/a 1,400 1,400 1,400 
			 Out of school clubs 700 600 1,100 1,800 900 
			 Holiday schemes(9) 1,100 1,200 1,200 5,100 (10) 3,600 
		
	
	(7) Rounded to the nearest 10 or 100 places.
	(8) Data Source: Children's Day Care Facilities Survey.
	(9) From 1999, places were counted once for each school holiday. Before 1999, places were counted once each year.
	(10) Includes schemes that were exempt from registration.
	n/a—not available
	The figures for child care places for 2003 and 2004 are not directly comparable with the day care figures for 1997–2001. The figures for 2003 and 2004 were derived from the Ofsted database of registered child care providers. The figures for 1997–2001 were derived from the Children's Day Care Facilities Survey, which was discontinued in 2001. There are no figures for 2002.
	With the introduction of the National Day Care Standards and the transfer of responsibilities for registration and inspection of child care providers from Local Authority Social Service Departments to Ofsted in September 2001, child care places were classified according to the type of day care provided: full day care, sessional day care, childminder, out of school day care or crèche day care. Ofsted have produced figures based on this classification on a quarterly basis from March 2003. Their latest figures were published on 21 October 2004 in their report "Registered Childcare Providers and Places, 30 September 2004", which is available on their website, www.ofsted.gov.uk/publications.
	Up until March 2001, child care providers were classified according to the type of provider: day nurseries, playgroups and pre-schools, childminders, out of school clubs and holiday schemes. Figures based on this classification were published in a series of Statistical Bulletins, which are available from the Department's website, www.dfes.gov.uk/statistics.
	The available information on nursery education places, for Newcastle upon Tyne local authority area, is shown in Table 3.
	
		Table 3: Number(11)(12) of free nursery education places taken up by three and four year olds Newcastle upon Tyne local authority area—Maintained schools and private, voluntary and independent providers of early years education -- Position in January each year
		
			 1997–2004 Number 
		
		
			 1997 5,000 
			 1998 5,000 
			 1999 4,900 
			 2000 5,500 
			 2001 5,600 
			 2002 5,600 
			 2003 5,300 
			 2004 5,200 
		
	
	(11) Rounded to the nearest 100 places.
	(12) Data Source: Annual Schools Census, Nursery Education Grant data collection exercise and Early Years Census.
	All four-year-olds in England have been entitled to a free part-time early education place since September 1998. All three-year-olds in England have been entitled to a free part-time early education place since April 2004. The latest figures on early education places for three and four year olds in England were published in Statistical First Release 39/2004 "Provision for children under five years of age in England—January 2004 (final)", which is available on the Departments website www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/.

Education (Lewisham)

Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many childcare places have been provided in the Lewisham, Deptford constituency since 1997.

Margaret Hodge: The information is not available in the form requested. The available information on child care places and nursery education places is shown in the tables.
	The available information on child care places, for Lewisham local authority area, is shown in tables 1 and 2.
	
		Table 1: Number(13)(14) of registered childcare places for children under eight years of age by type of care. Lewisham localauthority area -- Position at 31 March each year 2003 and 2004
		
			 Type of care 2003 2004 
		
		
			 Full day care 2,200 2,500 
			 Sessional day care 800 700 
			 Childminders 1,200 1,600 
			 Out of school day care 1,300 1,600 
			 Crèche day care 200 200 
		
	
	(13) Rounded to the nearest 100 places.
	(14) Data Source: Ofsted
	
		Table 2: Number(15)(16) of day care places for children under eight years of age by type of provider. Lewisham local authority area -- Position at 31 March each year 1997–2001
		
			 Type of provider 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 
		
		
			 Day nurseries 1,440 (17)—; 1,600 1,700 2,100 
			 Playgroups and pre-schools 880 (17)—; 960 1,000 910 
			 Childminders 1,400 (17)—; 1,200 1,200 1,200 
			 Out of school clubs 950 (17)—; 940 930 1,700 
			 Holiday schemes(18) 960 (17)—; 1,100 (19)1,000 1,700 
		
	
	(15) Rounded to the nearest 10 or 100 places.
	2 Data Source: Children's Day Care Facilities Survey.
	(16) Not available.
	4 From 1999, places were counted once for each school holiday. Before 1999, places were counted once each year.
	5 Includes schemes that were exempt from registration.
	The figures for child care places for 2003 and 2004 are not directly comparable with the day care figures for 1997/2001. The figures for 2003 and 2004 were derived from the Ofsted database of registered child care providers. The figures for 1997/2001 were derived from the Children's Day Care Facilities Survey, which was discontinued in 2001. There are no figures for 2002.
	With the introduction of the National Day Care Standards and the transfer of responsibilities for registration and inspection of childcare providers from local authority social service departments to Ofsted in September 2001, childcare places were classified according to the type of day care provided: full day care, sessional day care, childminder, out of school day care or crèche day care. Ofsted have produced figures based on this classification on a quarterly basis from March 2003. Their latest figures were published on 21 October 2004 in their report "Registered Childcare Providers and Places, 30 September 2004", which is available on their website, www.ofsted.gov.uk/publications.
	Up until March 2001, childcare providers were classified according to the type of provider: day nurseries, playgroups and pre-schools, childminders, out of school clubs and holiday schemes. Figures based on this classification were published in a series of Statistical Bulletins, which are available from the Department's website, www.dfes.gov.uk/statistics.
	The available information on nursery education places, for Lewisham local education authority area, is shown in table 3.
	
		Table 3: Number(17)(16) of free nursery education places taken up by three and four year olds, Lewisham local education authority areaMaintained schools and private, voluntary and independent providers of early years education -- Position in January each year 1997
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 1997 4,300 
			 1998 4,400 
			 1999 4,900 
			 2000 5,800 
			 2001 5,900 
			 2002 6,000 
			 2003 5,900 
			 2004 5,700 
		
	
	(17) Rounded to the nearest 100 places.
	(18) Data Source: Annual Schools Census, Nursery Education Grant data collection exercise and Early Years Census.
	All four-year-olds in England have been entitled to a free part-time early education place since September 1998. All three-year-olds in England have been entitled to a free part-time early education place since April 2004. The latest figures on early education places for three and four year olds in England were published in Statistical First Release 39/2004 "Provision for children under five years of age in England—January 2004 (final)", which is available on the Department's website www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/.

Exeter University

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of whether adequate alternative provision will be made for the undergraduate chemistry students if the proposed closure by Exeter University of its undergraduate chemistry provision proceeds as planned; and what discussions he has had with the Vice Chancellor of the university concerning such provision;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of whether adequate alternative provision will be made for the undergraduate chemistry students if the proposed closure by Exeter University of its undergraduate chemistry provision proceeds as planned; and what discussions he has had with the Vice-Chancellor of the university concerning such provision.

Kim Howells: The Secretary of State has had no direct discussions with the Vice-Chancellor of Exeter University. Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are autonomous organisations responsible for their own academic direction and strategic use of funds. However, I understand that the University is working closely with the students to ensure that all their individual needs are met. A number of universities have indicated they would be willing to accept students on transfer if appropriate. The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) is monitoring the situation closely.

Faith Schools

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many faith schools there were in England in each year since 2000, broken down by religion.

Stephen Twigg: The requested information is given in the tables.
	
		Maintained primary schools(19): Number of schools by religious character—position in January each year: 2000 to 2004—England
		
			  Number of primary schools 
			  2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 
		
		
			 No religious character 11,782 11,708 11,639 11,536 11,449 
			 Church of England 4,523 4,509 4,505 4,493 4,482 
			 Roman Catholic 1,752 1,747 1,733 1,724 1,723 
			 Methodist 28 28 28 27 26 
			 Other Christian faith(20) 47 47 48 49 50 
			 Jewish 25 26 28 28 28 
			 Muslim 0 2 2 2 2 
			 Sikh 1 1 1 1 1 
			 Other 0 1 1 1 1 
			 Total 18,158 18,069 17,985 17,861 17,762 
		
	
	(19) Includes middle schools as deemed.
	(20) Includes schools of mixed denomination or other Christian beliefs.
	Source:
	Annual Schools Census
	
		Maintained secondary schools(21): Number of schools by religious character—position in January each year: 2000 to 2004—England
		
			  Number of secondary schools 
			  2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 
		
		
			 No religious character 2,967 2,899 2,871 2,850 2,819 
			 Church of England 193 191 192 197 199 
			 Roman Catholic 356 357 357 352 352 
			 Methodist 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Other Christian faith(22) 27 27 28 28 30 
			 Jewish 5 5 5 5 5 
			 Muslim 0 0 2 2 2 
			 Sikh 1 1 1 1 1 
			 Other 1 1 1 1 1 
			 Total 3,550 3,481 3,457 3,436 3,409 
		
	
	(21) Includes middle schools as deemed.
	(22) Includes schools of mixed denomination or other Christian beliefs.
	Source:
	Annual Schools Census

Family Resolutions Projects

Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when CAFCASS first agreed the Family Resolutions project.

Margaret Hodge: The Family Resolutions Pilot Project is a DfES project. The pilot project was developed by a project steering group, led by a senior DfES official, which also comprises a senior judge, the chief executive of CAFCASS and a senior DCA official. The development of a project was approved by DfES Ministers in December 2003. A design group, whose membership comprised DfES, DCA, CAFCASS, Relate, the Parenting Forum, a district judge and the Solicitors Family Law Association, worked until September 2004 to design the pilot project, reporting to the project steering group. The project is now in operation, for one year, from September 2004, in Brighton, Sunderland and Inner London.

Government-funded Agencies

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will list (a) the resource budget, (b) staffing levels and (c) administration costs for each Government funded agency for which she has responsibility for each of the past three years; and if she will provide projections of these figures for the next three years.

Stephen Twigg: The Department does not have any Executive agencies.

Keele University

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  what discussions the Higher Education Funding Council for England has had with the University of Keele on proposals to close the University's physics department;
	(2)  if he will request that the Higher Education Funding Council for England discusses with the University of Keele the conclusions of its Science at Keele Review;
	(3)  if he will request that the Higher Education Funding Council for England contacts the University of Keele before the meeting of the University's Council on 16 December to discuss the reasons for the proposal to close its physics course;
	(4)  if he will request that the Higher Education Funding Council for England urgently assess the impact of the proposed closure of the physics department at the University of Keele on (a) access for students to basic science in North Staffordshire and (b) the economic and regeneration prospects of this sub-region;
	(5)  what discussions his Department has had with the University of Keele on its proposals to close its physics and astrophysics courses.

Kim Howells: holding answer 13 December 2004
	Higher Education Institutions are autonomous organisations responsible for their own academic direction and strategic use of funds. In considering their future plans, including the Science at Keele Review, Keele university has discussed possibilities and implications with several interested bodies, locally and regionally, including the Higher Education Funding Council for England. They continue to be in regular contact. I understand that no final decisions on any proposals have been reached.

Schools (Asbestos)

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many (a) primary and (b) secondary schools in each local education authority in England have been identified as having classrooms and other public areas containing asbestos; and what steps he is taking to ensure it is removed.

Stephen Twigg: holding answer 14 December 2004
	There are no central records of the numbers of schools containing asbestos in England. However, as part of asset management plans, local education authorities record the presence of asbestos in the schools which they maintain. Other schools are required to keep their own records. Of approximately 20,400 primary schools and 3,400 secondary schools in the UK, some 13,000 were built between 1945 and 1974, when the use of asbestos-containing materials in building was at its peak. Many other school premises would have been refurbished during that period, providing the potential for the introduction of asbestos-containing materials. Schools constructed after 1999 will not contain asbestos building materials.
	The new regulation 4 of the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations; the duty to manage asbestos in non-domestic premises, came into force in May 2004. This regulation is designed to ensure that all those who have responsibility for the maintenance or repair of non-domestic premises manage the risks from asbestos materials on their premises.
	Where asbestos-containing materials are in good condition and are unlikely to be damaged, HSE advice is that it is safer to leave the materials in place and manage them than to remove them.

Sefton Education Authority

Joe Benton: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether the Government have given Sefton education authority dispensation to remove the small schools funding formula.

Stephen Twigg: The inclusion in an LEA's funding formula of a factor relating to small schools is a matter for local discretion.
	I have, however, given dispensation for Sefton LEA to remove their small schools funding factor from the calculation of the minimum funding guarantee in respect of 15 schools. This dispensation was granted because the LEA demonstrated that by including it in the MFG calculation the 15 schools identified would have received an unfair budget share in 2005–06.

Special Schools (Gloucestershire)

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on the future provision of special school places in Gloucestershire.

Margaret Hodge: Under arrangements introduced in the School Standards and Framework Act 1998, the consideration of proposals to establish, alter, or discontinue maintained special schools are a matter for local decision.
	Before publishing statutory proposals, the local education authority must formally consult all interested parties, including the school or schools which are the subject of the proposals, and the parents of pupils at those schools.
	The authority must explain how interested parties can make their views known, and be able to demonstrate how they have taken into account the views expressed during consultation in reaching any subsequent decision. Once the local education authority has published proposals, there follows a two-month objection period during which anyone can submit formal objections to the authority.
	Any formal objections must then be sent to the local School Organisation Committee. The Committee must give very careful consideration to proposals and reach properly informed decisions, based on all available evidence, including any objections received. If that committee is unable to reach a unanimous decision, it will pass the case to an independent adjudicator for determination.

Student Loans

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what her latest estimates are of the numbers of students expected to take out fee loans in 2006 for the (a) standard fee and (b) variable element of the fee; and if she will make a statement.

Kim Howells: The Government do not have a particular expectation of the pattern of fee charging by universities and colleges of higher education in 2006, nor of the proportion of students that will decide to take out a fee loan. We published estimates on the basis of a variety of different scenarios in the regulatory impact assessment that was published alongside the Higher Education Bill.

Sure Start (Pendle)

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many children are involved in the Sure Start schemes operating in Pendle.

Margaret Hodge: There are three Sure Start local programmes in Pendle reaching a total of 2,083 children under the age of four. Sure Start Bradley and Whitefield covers 716 children; Sure Start Waterbridge covers 609 children and Sure Start Brierfield and Walverden covers 758 children under four.
	Pendle has one Early Excellence Centre which serves 730 children and forms part of Walton Lane children's centre designated in September 2003. There are also four neighbourhood nurseries within Pendle providing a total of 134 new child care places.
	Pendle has four children's centres to reach a total of 3,123 children under five: three of the centres have received approval to proceed from the Sure Start Unit and one centre was the early designation announced in September 2003.
	All the Sure Start local programmes, neighbourhood nurseries and the Early Excellence Centre are involved in the delivery of the children's centre agenda.

DEFENCE

Air Cadets (Pendle)

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reasons air cadets attended cenotaphs in Pendle on Remembrance Sunday without their rifles; and if he will make a statement.

Ivor Caplin: Following a recent change in drill procedures, the Air Training Corps (ATC) issued specific instructions that all participants in Remembrance Day parades were not to carry drill weapons.
	Before this change, the ATC followed the RAF's drill manual. The recent revision of this manual has rendered the ceremonial drill procedures and associated weapons used by the RAF unsuitable for ATC cadets.

Eurofighter Typhoon

David Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what timescale he plans for the implementation of Tranche 3 of the Eurofighter Typhoon project.

Adam Ingram: Under the Eurofighter Typhoon four-nation Memorandum of Understanding, contracts for the implementation of Tranche 3 do not need to be placed before 2007.

Future Rapid Effect System

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence to what extent the changes to the Army's force structure is linked to preparations for the Future Rapid Effect System and the development of a medium force.

Adam Ingram: The changes to the Army's force structure are underpinned by two complementary changes. The first is the move towards a more balanced force organised around two armoured, three mechanised, a light and an air assault brigade.
	The second is making the Army more robust and resilient to the challenges of sustaining the enduring expeditionary operations that have become the norm in recent years. Strengthening our key enabling capabilities such as engineers, logistics and intelligence is vital to this work.
	These structural changes will be supported by a re-equipment programme, which includes the Future Rapid Effect System (FRES). This will modernise the armoured vehicle fleet and will be key to our medium weight capability. In turn, it will enable us to address the current shortfall in our rapid deployment capability, which is set to become increasingly important in the emerging strategic environment.
	FRES is but one element of our re-equipment programme. Other enhancements include new communications equipment such as Bowman and Falcon, enhanced intelligence collection assets such as Watchkeeper and Soothsayer, and modern vehicles such as Panther. Taken together, and along with the move toward a more balanced force, these equipments will help to ensure that our Armed Forces are optimally suited to face the challenges of the future.

Gulf War-related Illnesses

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will set up an ex-gratia scheme to deal with claims for Gulf War-related illnesses; and if he will make a statement.

Ivor Caplin: The Ministry of Defence does not consider that there is a case or justification for making ex-gratia payments to 1990–91 Gulf veterans and thus giving one group of veterans more favourable treatment than others who served in different conflicts. Gulf veterans can and do receive compensation in the form of war pensions and attributable armed forces pensions which are already available to ex-servicemen who suffer illness or injury as a result of their service.
	The number of veterans in receipt of war pensions or gratuities for unspecified, symptomatic Gulf-related illnesses is approximately 1,400, less than 3 per cent. of the personnel who served in the Gulf. Additionally, only some 100 claimants have failed to receive an award for Gulf-related illnesses, not the 272 stated in the recent report of the unofficial investigation by Lord Lloyd of Berwick. On 29 November 2004, Official Report, column 354, I announced that the Ministry of Defence will investigate and review these approximately 100 cases where they can be identified.

Military Clothing

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the garment which the Minister of State indicated on 8 December 2004, Official Report, column 156WH, had been tested by four separate test houses was a camouflage garment printed and manufactured in China.

Adam Ingram: holding reply 16 December 2004
	The garment tests I referred to relate to the testing of fabric samples that were printed and manufactured in China.

Military Clothing

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether, during his Department's assessment visit to factory 3533 in China, officials saw British Army camouflage fabric being (a) processed and (b) manufactured.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 16 December 2004
	Ministry of Defence personnel visited China as part of the agreed contract management plan. Under the terms of the contract, the prime contractor does not wish to publicly disclose sub-contractor information and I therefore cannot reveal the detailed information requested.

Personnel Surveys

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list recent surveys he has conducted on bullying in the armed forces, broken down by the date (a) carried out and (b) results were published; and if he will make a statement.

Ivor Caplin: The details of surveys since 2002 by the three services which include questions on bullying are as follows:
	Naval Service
	The Naval Service does not undertake a specific survey on bullying although the Naval Continuous Attitude Survey routinely carries questions on bullying along with issues concerning discrimination and harassment. These questions were agreed on a tri-service basis and have been common to all services since November 2002. Survey details are as follows:
	
		
			 Conducted Results published 
		
		
			 June 2002 September 2002 
			 September 2002 January 2003 
			 January 2003 May 2003 
			 September 2003 December 2003 
			 September 2004 Estimate March/April 2005 
		
	
	Army
	The Army conduct Serving Personnel (SP) Continuous Attitude Surveys which cover a range of questions including bullying. Survey details are as follows.
	
		
			 Conducted Results published 
		
		
			 April/May 2002 March 2003 
			 December 2002 December 2003 
			 August 2003 April 2004 
			 December 2003 August 2004 
			 June 2004 Report in progress 
		
	
	The Army also recently carried out additional surveys as follows:
	
		
			 Survey title Conducted Results Published 
		
		
			 TA personnel survey May 2003 December 2003 
			 TA personnel survey September 2004 Report in progress 
		
	
	RAF
	Details of the RAF Continuous Attitude Surveys since 2002 are as follows:
	
		
			 Conducted Results published 
		
		
			 2002 February 2004 
			 2003 September 2004 
			 2004 Summer 2005 
		
	
	The RAF also conducted the following specific surveys:
	
		
			 Survey/survey dates Reporting dates 
		
		
			 Racial Harassment, Racial Discrimination and Bullying 
			 1997 February1998 
			 2001 May 2002 
			 2003 November 2003 
			   
			 Sexual Harassment, Sexual Discrimination and Bullying 
			 2000 August 2000 
			 2002 June 2002 
			 2004 July 2004 
		
	
	Although the numbers of complaints of ill treatment are now small, the armed forces see no room for complacency and aim to confront unacceptable behaviour at every opportunity. The services' policy is unequivocal: no form of harassment or intimidation will be tolerated and all allegations are investigated and appropriate action taken.

Correspondence

Alex Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the Under-Secretary of State and Minister for Veterans will respond to the letter of 16 November 2004 from the hon. Member for Banff and Buchan regarding RAF Buchan redundancy payments.

Ivor Caplin: I wrote to the hon. Member on 6 December 2004, within our 15 working day target for answering ministerial correspondence.

Royal Navy Test Reactor

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the current status is of the dispute between the United Kingdom and the European Commission over the provision of data on the Royal Navy test reactor Jason in connection with its decommissioning since 1998.

Adam Ingram: The case concerning the decommissioning of the Royal Navy's training and research reactor, Jason, was heard at the European Court of Justice before a Grand Chamber on Tuesday 12 October. The Advocate General published his Opinion on Thursday 2 December. It is expected that the Court will deliver its judgment in 2005.

Scottish Regiments

Russell Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  which Scottish Infantry Regiments he has visited since 1 January 2004; and on what dates the visits were made;
	(2)  which headquarters of Scottish Infantry Regiments (a) he and (b) his Ministers have visited since 1 January;
	(3)  on which dates since 1 January (a) he and (b) his ministers have visited (i) Headquarters 2nd Division in Craigiehall, Edinburgh and (ii) 52 (Infantry) Brigade; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: The Secretary of State has not specifically visited any of the individual Scottish Infantry Battalions, Headquarters 2nd Division or Headquarters 52nd (Highland) Brigade since 1 January 2004. He has, however, met personnel of a number of Scottish regiments during visits to operational theatres; for instance he has met members of the 1st Battalion The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise's) while visiting Iraq in June this year. Most recently, on 8 December, the Secretary of State met personnel from the Scots Guards and the 1st Battalion The Black Watch, who were deployed in Iraq.
	I have visited the rear party of the 1st Battalion The Black Watch (The Highland Regiment) in Warminster; and the Regiment Headquarters and Associates of both the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise's) and The Highlanders (Seaforth, Gordons and Camerons) located in Stirling and Inverness respectively.

South African Nationals

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the level and type of assistance given by (a) the Army, (b) the Royal Air Force and (c) the Royal Navy to serving officers who are South African nationals and wish to apply for a British passport.

Ivor Caplin: There is no requirement for the Department to make representations to the Home Office on applications for British citizenship by foreign personnel, including South African nationals, serving in the United Kingdom Armed Forces. However, in the interest of the Service, and in support of individuals' careers, a small number of Royal Navy Commonwealth personnel are opting to apply for either dual or full British citizenship. The Royal Navy sponsors these applications on a case by case basis through an agreement with the Home Office.

Warship Support Agency

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what the (a) gross operating cost, (b) net operating cost, (c) net cash outflow from operating activities and (d) cost of capital charge for the Warship Support Agency was in financial year 2003/04;
	(2)  when he intends to publish the Warship Support Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2003–04.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 16 December 2004
	The requested information is shown in the following table:
	
		
			 Warship Support Agency Financial Year 2003–04 (£ million) 
		
		
			 Gross operating cost 2,718,164,000 
			 Net operating cost 2,666,932,000 
			 Net cash outflow from operating activities 771,917,000 
			 Cost of capital charge 246,576,000 
		
	
	These costs are taken from the Warship Support Agency's Annual Report and Accounts for Financial Year 2003/04, which have been audited and approved by the Comptroller General and are due to be published early in the new year. Copies will be placed in the Library of the House and will also made available on the Agency's Public Documents page of the Ministry of Defence's internet site.

Young Military Personnel

Paul Stinchcombe: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many 16 and 17-year-olds are serving in (a) the Royal Navy, (b) the Army and (c) the Royal Air Force.

Ivor Caplin: I refer my hon. Friend to TSP (Tri Service Publication) 8: Age Distribution of UK Regular Forces at 1 April 2004 which was published on 19 May 2004. Copies are available in the Library of the House.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Clergy (Employment Legislation)

Mark Tami: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether section 23 of the Employment Relations Act 1999 applies to ministers of religion and their employees.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Section 23 of the Employment Relations Act 1999 enables the Government to confer rights contained in specified legislation on individuals who do not currently have such rights.

Coalminers' Compensation Scheme

David Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which 10 solicitors in (a) the UK and (b) Scotland have received most money from her Department in respect of coal industry compensation claims.

Nigel Griffiths: As of 5 December 2004 the figures are:
	
		
			 Solicitors—UK Costs paid (£ million) 
		
		
			 1 Thompsons 60.0 
			 2 Hugh James Ford Simey 51.3 
			 3 Raleys 41.3 
			 4 Browell Smith 29.0 
			 5 Mark Gilbert Morse 23.4 
			 6 Beresfords 20.5 
			 7 UDM 17.4 
			 8 Graysons 16.7 
			 9 Watson Burton 14.9 
			 10 Towells 11.7 
		
	
	
		
			 Solicitors—Scotland Costs paid (£ million) 
		
		
			 1 Thompsons 17.0 
			 2 Corries 4.1 
			 3 McLeish Carswell 2.2 
			 4 Morisons 1.7 
			 5 McConville O'Neill 0.6 
			 6 Campbell Smith W.S. 0.3 
			 7 Ross Harper 0.2 
			 8 Accident and Injury Claims 0.1 
			 9 John Y. Robertson 0.1 
			 10 Carr and Co 0.08

Coalminers' Compensation Scheme

David Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps she is taking to ensure that widows due coal health compensation payments receive such payments before they die; and how many claims for such payments to widows are outstanding.

Nigel Griffiths: Proposals to expedite offers in deceased cases have been put to Sir Michael Turner, the judge who oversees the respiratory disease scheme.
	As of 5 December 2004 there are just over 52,000 widows' respiratory disease claims waiting to be settled. Some of these claims will have received a widows' interim payment of bereavement award.

Coalminers' Compensation Scheme

David Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will ensure that coal health compensation payments due to widows but not paid before they die are made to the widow's next of kin.

Nigel Griffiths: Scottish law does not allow for compensation of general damages (solatium) to be paid to the widow of the estate if the miner died before 16 July 1992. However, during the negotiations of the Scottish Claims Handling Agreement with the solicitors representing the claimants, the Department agreed that solatium could survive the miner and pass to the widow. In cases where the widow herself dies, it was not originally intended that the payments went to her estate. Nevertheless, the Department subsequently agreed that it would make ex-gratia payments to the surviving family where widows died between 1 May 1999 and 31 July 2002, as we acknowledged that there had been a backlog in setting up the process to handle claims.

Coalminers' Compensation Scheme

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry with whom her Department has discussed the consequences of the coalminers' compensation scheme being an issued case.

Nigel Griffiths: The Department has discussed this matter with its external legal advisors.

Coalminers' Compensation Scheme

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps she has taken to ensure that solicitors overcharging on the Coalminers' Compensation Scheme refund the Treasury.

Nigel Griffiths: holding answer 14 December 2004
	: Any overcharging by solicitors must be dealt with by the Law Society. There is no question of solicitors overcharging either the Treasury or DTI.

Coalminers' Compensation Scheme

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate she has made of the total of additional fees charged by solicitors under the Coalminers' Compensation Scheme.

Nigel Griffiths: holding answer 14 December 2004
	These figures are not held by the DTI.

Counterfeit Medicines

Adrian Flook: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures she has taken to evaluate the risk to patients from counterfeited medicines in the medicines supply chain in the EU.

Rosie Winterton: I have been asked to reply.
	The enforcement group of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) are investigating suspected criminal offences involving the supply of counterfeit cialis and reductil via the legitimate supply chain. The route of access is one aspect of the investigation, but details cannot be disclosed while this investigation continues.
	The date officers from the criminal investigation unit have discovered counterfeit cialis and enforcement action has been taken to remove them from the supply chain.
	The MHRA investigates all allegations of counterfeit medicines in the United Kingdom, the vast majority of which are not associated with the tightly regulated legitimate supply chain. Action in the form of legal proceedings is taken if appropriate.
	The MHRA routinely carries out market surveillance by sampling and testing medicines on the UK market for authentication. It is also consulting with pharmaceutical industry concerning technical developments in product security.
	Action to prevent circulation of the counterfeit product includes a recall at patient level through the MHRA defective medicines reporting centre. MHRA inspectors and Royal Pharmaceutical Society inspectors have increased monitoring of product batch numbers during routine inspections of wholesalers and pharmacies.

Departmental Websites

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether her Department's .gov.uk. websites comply with the World Wide Web Consortium's Web Content Accessibility Guidelines adopted by the Government in 2001; and if she will make a statement.

Patricia Hewitt: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 1 December 2004, Official Report, column 134W.

Employment Status Review

Mark Tami: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the recommendations resulting from the Employment Status Review will be published.

Gerry Sutcliffe: We hope to publish a Government response to the Employment Status Review next year.

Energy Act

Richard Younger-Ross: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what advice she has given to Ofgem with regard to section 83 of the Energy Act 2004.

Mike O'Brien: It is for Ofgem, which operates under the direction and governance of the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority (the Authority), to interpret its own statutory duties. However, the Government issued social and environmental guidance to the Authority in February 2004. The Authority is required to have regard to the guidance when discharging its statutory functions to which its principal objective and general duties apply.

Energy Supply

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the implications for the UK of the EU Directive on the Security of Energy Supply.

Mr. O'Brien: A Directive on Security of Gas Supply (2004/67/EC) was adopted in April this year. This establishes minimum security of supply standards and co-ordination of Member States' responses to threats to gas supplies and clarifies roles and responsibilities of market players.
	There is also a proposal for a Directive on Electricity Security of Supply which, following agreement of a general approach by the November Energy Council, is now awaiting its first reading in the European Parliament. This requires Member States to take a range of measures to safeguard electricity supplies including setting minimum rules for network security and quality of supply standards, and establishing a market framework which provides a stable investment climate and investment signals.
	We believe our existing arrangements largely meet the requirements of these Directives.

Fuel Poverty

Janet Dean: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  what estimate she has made of the number of pensioners in Burton who are living in households suffering from fuel poverty; and how this number has changed since 1997;
	(2)  what estimate she has made of the number of people claiming a disability benefit who are living in households suffering from fuel poverty in Burton; and how this number has changed since 1997.

Mike O'Brien: We are unable to provide a breakdown of the number of households in fuel poverty by individual areas or towns.
	For the most recently available survey figures, I would refer the hon. Member to the response which I gave to the hon. Member for Gordon (Malcolm Bruce) on 30 November 2004, Official Report, column 78W. This sets out how the Fuel Poverty figures for England are produced, and gives figures for each Government Office Region.
	Those data also show that the number of fuel poor households in England which include someone aged 60 or over has more than halved from 2.2 million in 1996 to 1 million in 2001. In 2001, it can be estimated that the number of households containing either someone with a disability or long term illness was 0.8 million, the same as for 1996. Data for the number of those households in receipt of disability benefit are not readily available.
	Due to the fact that 2002 figures are based on a modelled estimate, 2001 is the latest year for which it is possible to give these breakdowns.
	Data for 2003 will be published in 2005 in the UK Fuel Poverty Strategy Third Annual Progress Report.

Gangmasters

Geraldine Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry for what reasons the proposals by the Home Secretary relating to the regulation of gangmasters prior to the Morecambe Bay cockling tragedy were deemed not to be workable.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The question of how best continually to improve enforcement against those, such as gangmasters, that mistreat workers and act illegally has been and continues to be much discussed. During inter-departmental discussions on this issue in 2003 a number of different approaches from various departments were considered, rejected, modified and adopted. Such debate is a normal part of the process of government and is how departments reach a consensus on the best way forward. In this case the consensus settled on taking a range of actions, including Government support for a private Member's Bill, now the Gangmasters Act 2004.

Gas Prices

Robert Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the impact of the differential in wholesale gas prices between the UK and the EU on the (a) competitiveness of UK manufacturers and (b) economy.

Mike O'Brien: DTI officials and Ministers meet regularly with industry groups and companies to discuss concerns on energy prices. At a recent meeting with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, representatives of the main energy intensive sectors of industry confirmed that they were fully committed to the market-related approach to energy supply. However, they were concerned about prices in the forward market for gas in Great Britain. My right hon. Friend asked officials to maintain a close dialogue with the group, to get their ideas for improving the operation of the market, and to report back.

Maternity Leave

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will estimate the take-up rate of maternity leave entitlement with statutory maternity pay since the changes implemented in April 2003.

Gerry Sutcliffe: It is possible to make an estimate of the numbers of women taking maternity leave based on employer returns to Inland Revenue for payment of Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP). Around 300,000 women receive SMP each year.
	In addition, there will be some women who will qualify for maternity leave but not SMP (because they do not meet the earnings criteria) and similarly some who qualify for SMP but not leave (because they are employed earners for the purposes of SMP but not employees in order to qualify for leave).

Medicines (Packaging)

Adrian Flook: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what mechanisms are in place to prevent tamper-proof packaging on medicines being removed by commercial middlemen.

Rosie Winterton: I have been asked to reply.
	The regulations covering the packaging of medicinal products make no reference to the use of tamper evident presentations. Any decision to use such packaging is for the marketing authorisation holder.
	If a company authorised to carry out the repackaging of a medicinal product needs to remove tamper evident packaging, or seals, in order to repack the product, he is permitted to do so. However, repacking of medicinal products in the United Kingdom may only be carried out in accordance with relevant process and product-specific licences issued by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)—these permit only the outer packaging to be opened or replaced. The MHRA examines a sample of each product to be repacked and is aware of the instances in which tamper-evident packaging will be opened or replaced.
	The immediate container may not be opened or replaced so where this uses tamper-evident packaging, it will remain intact.

Ministerial Visits

Richard Younger-Ross: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list combined heat and power schemes which she has visited since taking her post.

Mike O'Brien: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to the hon. Member for Tewkesbury (Mr. Robertson) on 18 May 2004, Official Report, column 894W.

Newspaper Distribution (Rural Areas)

David Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions she has had with the Office of Fair Trading about a block exemption from the EU competition legislation on newspaper distribution in rural areas.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Over the course of the past 18 months, DTI Ministers and officials have had discussions with the newspaper and magazine industry and with the Office of Fair Trading about the proposal to repeal the Order exempting vertical agreements from prohibition under UK competition law. The Government concluded this Order was no longer required and repealed it with effect from 1 May 2005. The Government's position on this matter was set out in their published response to the consultation which may be found at http://wvvw.dti.gov.uk/ccp/consultpdf/compmodresp.pdf.
	The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) is now engaged in discussions with representatives from all sides of the newspaper and magazine industry to ensure the arrangements in place for the distribution of newspapers and magazines will continue to comply fully with domestic and European competition law after 1 May 2005. In the context of these discussions, I understand some parties have submitted arguments in favour of a new block exemption for exclusive distribution agreements between newspaper publishers and wholesalers while other parties have argued against such a move. DTI Ministers expect to receive advice from OFT on progress with discussions on these matters by spring 2005 at the latest.

Nuclear Energy/Nuclear Material

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the sections on (a) nuclear energy and (b) nuclear materials of the United Nations Secretary-General's High-Level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change, published in December.

Mike O'Brien: My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has welcomed the publication of the High-Level Panel report. The Government are now analysing all aspects of the panel's report including those recommendations relating to nuclear energy and nuclear materials. We will be discussing all aspects of the report with international partners over the coming months and my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary said, 14 December 2004, Official Report, column 1514, the Government have long worked for the reform of the United Nations system and for that reason we greatly welcomed the publication of the report last month from the United Nations Secretary-General's High-Level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change. This report offered two options for reform of the Security Council, and also proposed new approaches to the use by the Security Council of its chapter VII powers, including a self-denying ordinance on the use of the veto in cases of genocide and large-scale human rights abuses, and observations on the use of force preventatively to stop latent threats becoming imminent. I shall reproduce the UN report as a Command Paper to the House, better to assist debate.
	He also announced the publication of a command paper to encourage debate within the United Kingdom.

Nuclear Energy/Nuclear Material

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the role of nuclear energy in the UK meeting its Kyoto targets.

Mike O'Brien: Our assessment is that current policies put the UK on track to meet its commitment to reduce greenhouse gases under the Kyoto protocol. In 2003, nuclear energy accounted for 4 per cent. of energy consumption. By 2010, we anticipate that this figure will fall to 3.5 per cent.

Parliamentary Questions

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when she will reply to the question from the hon. Member for Birkenhead, reference 200988, tabled on 25 November.

Gerry Sutcliffe: I answered my right hon. Friend's question on 2 December 2004, Official Report, column 225W.

Parliamentary Questions

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when she expects to reply to the question tabled by the hon. Member for Eddisbury on 29 November on the cost of printing her Department's five-year programme.

Patricia Hewitt: I answered the hon. Member's question on 14 December 2004, Official Report, column 1052W.

Radioactive Waste

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what her policy is on the European Commission's proposal for a council directive on the supervision and control of shipments of radioactive waste and spent fuel, COM (2004) 716 Final, published on 15 November.

Mike O'Brien: The Government's position in response to the Council Directive will be set out shortly. The current draft raises a number of issues of concern in relation to the proposed extension of the Directive to cover the shipment of spent fuel for reprocessing and these are being explored further in negotiation of the draft text.

Radioactive Waste

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to her Written Statement on the updated policy on intermediate level radioactive waste substitution of 13 December 2004, Official Report, column 115WS, what assessment the Office of Civil Nuclear Security made of the possible opportunities this option may provide for terrorists to intercept or hijack high-level radioactive waste.

Mike O'Brien: The movement of all civil nuclear material, including high-level waste, in the UK and anywhere in the world on board a UK-flagged vessel is carried out in accordance with the Nuclear Industries Security Regulations 2003 which are administered and enforced by the Office for Civil Nuclear Security.
	The security standards to be applied to these movements to prevent sabotage or unauthorised removal depend on the category of the material and the threat at the time. Information and intelligence relating to potential security threats to such shipments is closely monitored. If a specific credible threat were detected, the shipment would not be allowed to proceed.

Renewable Energy

Richard Younger-Ross: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when she will respond to the recommendations made by the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution in its report, Biomass as a Renewable Energy Source.

Mike O'Brien: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 15 December 2004, Official Report, column 1128W, to my hon. Friend the Member for Midlothian (David Hamilton).

Research and Development

Brian H Donohoe: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the change in the level of research and development funding has been since 1997, in (a) cash and (b) percentage terms.

Patricia Hewitt: Between 1996–97 and 2004–05 net Government expenditure on research and development by Departments will have risen by (a) £2.869 billion in cash terms and (b) 49 per cent. in total, in percentage terms. The following table sets out expenditure since 1996–97, including planned spend in 2004–05.
	
		Net Government expenditure on R&D by Departments in cash terms 1996–97 to 2004–05
		
			  Total R&D (£ million) Increase on previous year (Percentage) 
		
		
			 Outturn   
			 1996–97 5,850 — 
			 1997–98 5,908 1.0 
			 1998–99 5,751 -2.7 
			 1999–2000 6,119 6.4 
			 2000–01 6,449 5.4 
			 2001–02 6,774 5.0 
			 2002–03 8,079 19.3 
			 2003–04 8,580 6.2 
			 Plan   
			 2004–05 8,719 1.6 
		
	
	Source:
	National Statistics

Rural Subsidy (Post Offices )

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions she has held with relevant agencies on extending the rural subsidy to post offices beyond 2008.

Gerry Sutcliffe: I have not held discussions with any interested parties at this stage. DTI officials are co-ordinating work across Government on future options for maintaining access to post office services for those living in rural communities beyond 2008. This work is still at an early stage, and it will need to take into account the outcomes from pilot work on new ways of delivering services for rural communities, which Post Office Ltd. is conducting. I have asked for a report on the outcomes from this pilot work by the end of 2005. Once the range of future options has been identified, my Department, working with Defra and the devolved Administrations, will ensure that views are sought from interested parties.

Science Budget

Brian H Donohoe: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the change in the level of the science budget has been since 1997 in (a) cash and (b) percentage terms.

Patricia Hewitt: Between 1996–97 and 2004–05 the science budget will have risen by (a) £1.263 billion in cash terms and (b) 96 per cent. in total, in percentage terms. The following table sets out science expenditure since 1996–97, including planned spend in 2004–05.
	Following the Spending Review 2004 science budget expenditure is planned to rise to £3.282 billion by 2007–08.
	
		Science budget expenditure in cash terms 1996–97 to 2004–05
		
			  Science budget (£ million) Increase on previous year (Percentage) 
		
		
			 Outturn   
			 1996–97 1,312 — 
			 1997–98 1,331 1.4 
			 1998–99 1,334 0.2 
			 1999–2000 1,394 4.5 
			 2000–01 1,514 8.6 
			 2001–02 1,707 12.7 
			 2002–03 2,032 19.0 
			 2003–04 2,366 16.4 
			 Plan   
			 2004–05 2,575 8.8

UK Trade and Investment

James Arbuthnot: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage of UK Trade and Investment's budget is directed towards (a) inward investment and (b) trade promotion; and what plans she has to change each percentage.

Douglas Alexander: Figures from UKTI's published 2003–04 Resource accounts show UKTI's total resources at just under £289 million, of which some £250 million, (86 per cent.) was spent on trade development and the remainder, 14 per cent., on inward investment. UK Trade and Investment's existing corporate strategy provides for a strengthening of particular areas of activity, including inward investment. Subject to further work to determine the optimum distribution of resources, the terms of the SR2004 settlement envisage a larger proportion of spending on inward investment work by 2008.

CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

"Representative Claims: Proposed New Procedures"

Ross Cranston: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the outcome was of the consultation on "Representative Claims: Proposed New Procedures".

David Lammy: The post-consultation report on 'Representative Claims: Proposed New Procedures' was published in April 2002. It showed overall support for the principles of representative claim. However, following a detailed analysis of the replies, it was concluded, that a generic provision would not meet the needs of the diverse areas where representative claims might be pursued.
	Consequently, the Department for Constitutional Affairs has been working with other Government Departments and stakeholders on a more targeted approach. Specific provision can be made where this is required by EU legislation or where it would otherwise be beneficial to allow representative organisations and third parties to act and there is evidence to support the introduction of such a provision.

Absent Voters

Oliver Heald: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the Department's policy is on political parties being supplied with absent voting lists outside an election period; and if he will make a statement.

Christopher Leslie: Electoral law provides for the list of absent voters for an indefinite or specified period to be made available for inspection by anyone at any time at the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO)'s office. Further, EROs shall on request supply free of charge to each candidate or his election agent the list of absent voters for a particular election and those for an indefinite or specified period. The Representation of the People Act 1983 defines when a person can become a candidate which may be on the date of the dissolution of Parliament or, at a local election, on the last day for publication of notice of the election.

Christmas Cards

David Davis: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many hours of staff time were taken up in preparation of Christmas cards in 2004.

David Lammy: My Department does not record staff time spent arranging and distributing Christmas cards. This information can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Christmas Cards

David Davis: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many Departmental staff have responsibility for preparing Christmas cards.

David Lammy: A number of my Department's staff are responsible for ordering and distributing official Christmas cards. These staff are located in departmental offices and this information can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Christmas Cards

David Davis: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what percentage of official Departmental Christmas cards included a contribution to charity in their cost; and which charities benefited from such a contribution.

David Lammy: The cost of my Department's official Christmas card includes a 10 per cent. contribution to a registered charity. My Department's charity for 2004 is Shelter.

Christmas Cards

David Davis: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the cost of postage was for official Departmental Christmas cards in (a) 2003 and (b) 2004.

David Lammy: My Department does not separately record postage costs for distributing official Christmas cards.

Christmas Cards

David Davis: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the cost was of purchasing official Departmental Christmas cards in (a) 2003 and (b) 2004.

David Lammy: The costs of purchasing official Departmental Christmas cards are:
	
		
			  £ 
		
		
			 2003 2,107.50 
			 2004 2,502.91

Christmas Cards

David Davis: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many official Christmas cards were sent out by the Department in (a) 2003 and (b) 2004.

David Lammy: The numbers of Christmas cards sent officially by the Department for Constitutional Affairs were as follows:
	
		
			  Number of cards 
		
		
			 2003 2,371 
			 2004 2,620

Departmental Advertising

Keith Vaz: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs in which Muslim newspapers the Department advertises; and what kinds of advertising the Department places in Muslim newspapers.

David Lammy: Recruitment advertising within my Department takes place within Cabinet Office guidelines which ensures fair and open competition. In addition to local job centre adverts some campaigns are advertised in local newspapers, which proves effective in reaching all ethnic groups including Muslims. In addition adverts including some Senior civil service posts are placed in publications aimed specifically at different ethnic groups; The Asian Times, Eastern Eye, New Nation and Caribbean Times as well as being promulgated to Ethnic Minority Centres. Liaison and promotion of recruitment opportunities to Muslims (and other ethnic groups) within the Department also takes place via the Outreach scheme which involves visits to schools and local community groups. This and other linked work ensures that every effort is made to engage with all sections of the community including Muslims.

Devolution

Peter Pike: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what assessment he has made of the benefits of devolution to the people of (a) Scotland, (b) Wales and (c) Northern Ireland.

David Lammy: The aim of the Government's programme of devolution in Scotland and Wales was to decentralise power and to allow people to take decisions on important matters at a local level. Devolution has achieved this and has improved democratic accountability. As the devolved institutions bed down, the benefits of the distinctive opportunities, choices and results of devolution will continue to be realised across a broad range of areas in Scotland and Wales.
	In Northern Ireland, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and the Irish Government are engaged with the political parties in a continuing effort to restore the devolved institutions on a stable and inclusive basis.

Gyms

George Osborne: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many gyms are available to the staff in the Department; and what the cost of providing them was in the last year for which figures are available.

David Lammy: There are three gyms to which staff have access in the Department for Constitutional Affairs. These are:
	DCA Headquarters, Selborne House
	The Royal Courts of Justice, The Strand
	Priory Court, Birmingham
	The facilities at the Royal Courts of Justice and Selborne House are operated by the private sector and the facility at Priory Court is operated solely through membership fees. Consequently, no operational costs fall to the Department.

Housing Possession Court Duty Schemes

Ross Cranston: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what assessment he has made of the Legal Services Commission evaluation of housing possession court duty schemes; and what plans he has for extending them beyond the existing pilots.

David Lammy: The Housing Possession Court Duty Scheme has had a positive impact on outcomes for defendants facing housing possession orders, for the court service and for local service provision overall. In eight-nine per cent. of cases, possession orders were suspended, adjourned, dismissed or withdraw. Fifty-seven per cent. of clients using the scheme were found to have other problems, and were referred to other appropriate local services. The scheme has highlighted particular problems facing defendants in possession order cases, such as tendencies among landlords to advise defendants that they do not need to attend court.
	The service will continue where it is identified as a priority by individual Legal Services Commission regional offences. Provision of the scheme will be one in the range of services which each regional office can contract for from its overall budget for controlled work.

IT Contracts

Roger Godsiff: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the (a) projected cost at the time of tender and (b) actual cost at the time of completion was for each IT contract commissioned by the Department or its predecessors in the last five years.

Christopher Leslie: For my Department, there are four relevant IT contracts. These are for Fujitsu Services; STL; Accenture; and Cable & Wireless.
	(a) the projected costs of these contracts at time of tender are:
	Fujitsu Services (magistrates' courts' IT systems) was tendered in July 2002 for £232 million over 8.5 years;
	STL (magistrates' courts' IT systems): £38.5 million
	Accenture (magistrates' courts' IT systems): £36 million
	Cable & Wireless (for web-hosting): £1.5 million
	(b) all these contracts are ongoing, so costs at time of completion do not apply. The current values of each of the contracts are as follows:
	Fujitsu Services: £232 million
	STL: £38.5 million
	Accenture: £36 million
	Cable & Wireless: £2.5 million

IT Systems

Jonathan Djanogly: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the reasons are for the increase in the cost of running the Money Claim Online software systems between 2002 and 2002–03.

David Lammy: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 6 December 2004, Official Report, column 365W. The running costs for Money Claim Online attributed up to March 2002 was for a period of three months. The cost for 2002–03 covered a period of 12 months.

IT Systems

Jonathan Djanogly: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the cost will be of rolling out the Exchange Hearing Information by Internet Technology scheme to every Crown court within the criminal justice areas in England and Wales.

Christopher Leslie: The cost of rolling out XHIBIT (exchange Hearing Information By Internet Technology) to every Crown court within the 42 criminal justice areas in England and Wales will be £20 million.

Legal Aid (Civil Cases)

Ross Cranston: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how much was spent on non-family legal aided civil cases in each of the last 20 years; how many cases involved (a) legal representation and (b) other legal advice and assistance in each year; and what the average costs of (a) and (b) were in each year.

David Lammy: It is not possible to answer in precisely the way the question has been put because the Legal Services Commission does not hold information on the basis of cases but on the number and value of bills paid.
	The following table presents the information requested on the basis of bills.
	
		£ million
		
			  Total civil non-family Representation Advice and Assistance(23) 
			  Expenditure Bill volume Average cost Bill volume Average cost 
		
		
			 2003–04 609 47,144 7,017 540,175 515 
			 2002–03 674 62,880 6,414 566,321 478 
			 2001–02 768 84,044 5,974 546,684 414 
			 2000–01 669 108,013 4,876 518,910 275 
			 1999–2000 671 115,714 4,570 804,101 176 
			 1998–99 703 132,648 4,392 766,091 157 
			 1997–98 692 155,737 3,764 800,591 132 
			 1996–97 663 176,139 3,246 755,596 120 
			 1995–96 596 182,192 2,805 737,782 115 
			 1994–95 514 169,294 2,589 752,130 100 
			 1993–94 455 167,115 2,267 794,602 96 
			 1992–93 369 148,621 2,076 675,507 89 
			 1991–92 276 129,529 1,780 544,964 83 
			 1990–91 196 103,893 1,596 418,086 73 
			 1989–90 163 96,894 1,425 396,068 62 
			 1988–89 133 91,138 1,242 377,868 54 
			 1978–88 110 83,620 1,060 411,242 51 
			 1986–87 92 76,971 970 358,473 48 
			 1985–86 82 73,001 904 341,312 46 
			 1984–85 71 75,718 776 290,378 43 
		
	
	(23) Advice and assistance includes all other non-family civil legal help outside of certificated representation

MEPs

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what measures the Department has taken to ensure that the UK complies with the requirement that Members of the European Parliament shall not have a dual mandate with the legislature of a member state; and if he will make a statement.

Christopher Leslie: Council Decision 2002/772/EC provides that from the European Parliamentary Elections in 2004, membership of the European Parliament is no longer compatible with membership of a national parliament.
	The European Communities (Definition of Treaties) (Common Electoral Principles) Order 2004, adopted this Decision into UK law, and came into force on 1 April 2004. Also, the European Parliamentary Elections (Common Electoral Principles) Regulations 2004 made minor consequential changes to the European Parliamentary Elections Act 2002, so that it is in accordance with the Decision.

Parents Without Care

David Drew: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what criteria have to be satisfied by a parent without care, where there is a failure of the parent with care to comply with the terms of a contact order, in order to qualify for legal aid; and what other forms of support the Department offers to such people.

David Lammy: Legal aid is available for private law children cases, including contact disputes, subject to statutory tests of the applicant's financial means and the merits of the case. The means and merits tests apply to both parents with and without care.
	The Government published a Consultation Paper; 'Parental Separation: Children's Needs and Parents' Responsibilities' on 21 July 2004. It sets out a range of proposals designed to improve the help and support available to parents who are separated. The Government are now considering the responses received. The Government have already made clear their intention to bring forward new primary legislation to provide new powers to improve the facilitation and enforcement of contact orders.

Political Party Registration

Oliver Heald: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the Department's policy is on individuals or organisations seeking to register a political party using words which are already a fundamental and necessary part of another registered political party's branding; and if he will make a statement.

Christopher Leslie: The registration of political parties' names is the responsibility of the Electoral Commission. Section 28 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 sets out the grounds on which the Commission may refuse to register a name.

Prenuptial Agreement

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what estimate he has made of the percentage of divorce cases in which a prenuptial agreement is enforced in court.

David Lammy: Pre-nuptial agreements are not legally enforceable at present, but the courts may consider the terms of such agreements when exercising their discretion in relation to the division of property on divorce. Figures on the number of cases in which the courts exercise their discretion in this way are not collected. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the cases where pre-nuptial agreements are an issue are rare.

Prenuptial Agreement

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what assessment he has made of the consequences for court time and costs of making prenuptial agreements binding.

David Lammy: No assessment has been made. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that pre-nuptial agreements are rarely an issue in ancillary relief cases. It is, therefore, doubtful that any savings in court time or costs would be significant.

Prenuptial Agreement

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs whether he plans to make prenuptial agreements legally binding except where upholding an agreement would cause significant injustice.

David Lammy: At present, couples are free to enter into pre-nuptial agreements, and abide by their terms on divorce, if they wish to do so. The courts can consider the terms of such agreements when exercising their discretion regarding the division of property on divorce. The Government believe that there would be difficulties in tying people into agreements made years before a divorce. The Government also believe that binding agreements would carry a significant risk of unfairness to either party in the event of a change in financial or other circumstances during the course of the marriage. The Government, therefore, have no plans to legislate to make pre-nuptial agreements legally binding.

Document Shredding

Norman Baker: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what factors underlie the increase in the rate of files shredded by his Department since January 2003; and if he will make a statement.

Christopher Leslie: My Department continues to implement well established policies and procedures for the review and disposal of files in accordance with its administrative needs and the Public Records Act. The factor underlying the increase in the number of reviews conducted by the Department for Constitutional Affairs since January 2003 was the need to clear a backlog that had accumulated since 2001. The Freedom of Information Act has undoubtedly brought a renewed focus on good records management, and the Lord Chancellor's Code of Practice on the Management of Records under s46 of the Act recognises that the managed destruction of records is a proper and necessary part of efficient record keeping.

Sickness Absence

George Osborne: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many day's sickness leave were taken by civil servants in the Department in each year since 1997; and what the sickness absence rate was in each year.

David Lammy: The numbers of days lost to sickness absence are collected by the Department. The figures are contained in the annual report "Analysis of Sickness Absence in the Civil Service" published by the Cabinet Office. Table A of the report gives details of both the average working days absence per staff year and the number of staff years on which that calculation is based on. The most recent of which (for calendar year 2003) was announced by Written Ministerial Statement on 1 November 2004, Official Report, column 1WS and copies placed in the Libraries of the House. Reports for 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002 are available on the Cabinet Office website at: http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/management_information/conditions_of_service/caje/publications/index.asp#sickness
	The Department is committed to managing sickness absence effectively and in putting in place recommendations of the recently published 'Managing Sickness Absence in the Public Sector'.

Special Advisers

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs 
	(1)  whether the Secretary of State has been informed of breaches of the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers in the Department since its implementation;
	(2)  how many appeals were made by civil servants to the Civil Service Commissioners regarding special advisers in his Department between 31 March 2003 and 31 March 2004 and when each appeal was lodged.

Christopher Leslie: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the then Minister for the Cabinet Office (Ruth Kelly) on 8 December 2004, Official Report, column 578W.

Special Advisers

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs whether departmental special advisers have made speeches in their official capacity since May 1997.

Christopher Leslie: No formal speeches have been made by Special Advisers in my Department.

Special Advisers

Andrew Tyrie: To ask Parliamentary Under Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs, whether departmental special advisers have been responsible for authorising instances of departmental spending since May 1997.

Christopher Leslie: No.

Special Advisers

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs whether departmental special advisers have given instructions to permanent civil servants without the explicit authorisation of Ministers since May 1997.

Christopher Leslie: No.

Special Advisers

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs whether departmental special advisers have made appearances before parliamentary Select Committees in their official capacity since May 1997.

Christopher Leslie: No departmental special advisers have appeared before parliamentary Select Committees since 1997.

Taskforces

Mark Francois: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how much his Department spent on taskforces and similar bodies in each year since 1997.

David Lammy: The costs for taskforces and similar bodies in each year since 1997 are not separately identifiable within the Department's accounts without incurring disproportionate costs.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Afghanistan

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the measures to curb heroin production in Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: The UK, as lead nation, is committed to supporting the Afghan Government in the implementation of their comprehensive National Drug Control Strategy. I refer my hon. Friend to the written statement I made on Afghanistan: Counter Narcotics, 29 November 2004, Official Report, column 17WS.

Bellis Report

Edward O'Hara: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library copies of the reports he requested from each Department on the steps that they have taken to implement the recommendations of the Bellis report of 24 November 2003.

Denis MacShane: Follow-up to the report by Robin Bellis on "Implementation of EU Legislation" is on-going. Copies of a Synthesis report covering initial stakeholder responses and a subsequent Government Legal Service response on legal aspects have been placed in the Library of the House. Updated transposition guidance reflecting this analysis will issue in the new year. The hon. Member will have noted the joint measures announced in the pre-Budget report to ensure that businesses do not face unnecessary burdens from European law. This action forms part of a wider regulatory reform agenda which the Government are driving forward at the national and EU level.

Bolivian Natural Gas

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions have taken place between Her Majesty's Government and Bolivia regarding its claim on the Atacama corridor in Chile, to secure sovereign maritime access for Bolivian natural gas.

Denis MacShane: The Bolivian Government are well aware of the UK's longstanding position that this is a bilateral issue between Bolivia and Chile.

China

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he will take to seek greater protection for the Christian community in China.

Bill Rammell: We are deeply concerned about religious freedom in China, monitor the situation closely and regularly raise our concerns about this issue, including the treatment of Christians with the Chinese.
	At the latest round of the UK China Human Rights Dialogue, held in Beijing on 22 November 2004, we raised our concern that the prohibition of some religious groups and the restrictions and harassment of others undermines freedom of religious belief in China.

China

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will intercede in the case of Father Zhang Rongliang a church leader arrested in Henan province to seek his release.

Bill Rammell: The British embassy in Beijing contacted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 4 December 2004 to raise the case of Father Zhang Rongliang and register concerns about his health. We have also been in touch with the Dutch Presidency. We are making further enquiries about the circumstances of his arrest.

China

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his policy towards the maintenance of the EU arms embargo against the People's Republic of China; and what representations he has received from (a) the People's Republic of China, (b) businesses, (c) Chinese organisations campaigning for democracy in China and (d) other EU countries and institutions, on this issue.

Denis MacShane: The Government support the decision of the European Council in December 2003 to review the EU Arms Embargo on China. This review is on-going—it was last discussed by EU Foreign Ministers at the 13 December General Affairs and External Relations Council. The Government do not wish to exclude any options for the review, nor to pre-empt the conclusion of the review.
	In recent contacts with representatives of Her Majesty's Government, Chinese Ministers have expressed an interest in the review of the embargo. The Chinese Foreign Minister has raised the subject with my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary. I am unaware of any representations to him from business or Chinese NGOs on this question.The Government continue to implement the Arms Embargo as set out by the then Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the late Derek Fatchett, in his reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Gedling (Vernon Coaker) on 3 June 1998.

China/Africa (Trade Deals)

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the major trade deals between China and African countries of which the Government is aware; and if he will make a statement.

Denis MacShane: The Government do not comprehensively track trade deals between China and African states. But overall trade between China and Africa is becoming very significant, up from $2 billion for two-way trade in 1999 to $20 billion in 2003. We also value the contribution made to the Commission for Africa by the Chinese National People's Congress Standing Committee member Ji Peiding.

Departmental Costs

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the cost was of (a) in-house canteen and (b) other catering services provided by his Department in each of the last two years.

Bill Rammell: The cost of providing the in-house catering service in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office during the last two financial years was:
	
		
			  £ 
		
		
			 2002–03 126,581.30 
			 2003–04 184,201.59 
		
	
	The 2003–04 costs appear to be higher than the previous year, but these were significantly impacted by additional costs incurred during an expansion project on an existing catering facility. This project had the effect of temporarily reducing the level of business the contractor could carry out at the facility, and so a higher cost was incurred for the duration of the works.
	Additional costs have been incurred in complying with the recommendations of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs' Food Procurement Initiative, promoting the, often, more expensive organic and sustainably grown produce. This is an on-going programme.
	The cost for providing other catering in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office during the last two financial years could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Equipment Leasing

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the equipment leasing arrangements entered into by his Department in each of the last two years; and what the cost is to public funds in each case.

Denis MacShane: The costs incurred within Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) Supply Solutions—Purchasing under equipment leasing agreements over the last two financial years are as follows:
	
		
			  £ 
		
		
			 Year 1—2002–03 445,760 
			 Year 2—2003–04 465,618 
		
	
	These costs include the lease of standalone copiers within the UK, and lease arrangements on overseas vehicles.
	Leased equipment held by FCO Services Home Estates are as follows:
	
		
			  £ 
		
		
			 Coffee machine  
			 2002–03 1,284.42 
			 2003–04 1,284.42 
			 Vending machines  
			 2002–03 1,954.32 
			 2003–04 1,954.32

Embassy Staff

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether non-EU nationals employed in residences of UK ambassadors and high commissioners throughout the world are required (a) to be entitled to work permits in the UK and (b) to have work permits in relation to the country in which the ambassadors, and high commissioners, residences are located; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: holding answer 16 December 2004
	Non-EU nationals employed in residences of UK Ambassadors and High Commissions do not have to be entitled to work permits in the UK.
	The position of residence staff who are not nationals of the country in which they are appointed reflect that country's immigration rules and the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. Domestic staff of a head of mission who are employed by the sending state and who are notified to the receiving state's Foreign Ministry may, under Article 37(3) of the Vienna Convention, enjoy the same privileges and immunity as service staff of the Mission. In the UK, for example, individuals in this category would be granted 'exempt' from entry clearance. Domestic staff who are the private employees of a Head of Mission would have to apply and pay for a 'domestic' entry clearance, but would not require a work permit.

Embassy Staff

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his recruitment policy is for staff who (a) prepare food, (b) serve food and fulfil other related hospitality and reception duties and (c) perform cleaning duties at the residences of ambassadors and high commissioners; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: holding answer 16 December 2004
	Residence staff are normally recruited in-country and, to the extent compatible with local law, enjoy the same terms and conditions as the local staff of the Mission. Operational considerations may sometimes justify the employment of British citizens or third country nationals.

EU Constitution (Referendum Campaign)

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what requirements there are for the declaration of receipt of EU funds by academics during the course of a referendum campaign on the EU Constitution; and if he will make a statement.

Denis MacShane: When EU funds are made available to academies it is a requirement for the receipt to be made public in the academy's annual accounts. The Political Parties Elections and Referendums Act 2000 does not place any additional requirements on academies to declare funding, whether this has been received during a referendum campaign or at any other time.

EU Funding

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much EU funding was allocated to the Council of the Bar and Law Societies of the European Union in the last year for which figures are available.

Christopher Leslie: I have been asked to reply. 
	The Council of the Bar and Law Societies of the European Union (CCBE) receives no EU funding towards its running costs. However the CCBE have informed us that they sometimes participate in EU-funded projects aimed at promoting legal training and co-operation within Europe, usually in co-operation with other organisations. We do not hold information of the funding received by the CCBE in that context.

EU-China Arms Embargo

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment has been made of the likely implications of ending the EU-China Arms embargo on (a) the UK defence industry and (b) trade with the United States.

Denis MacShane: If the EU Arms Embargo on China were lifted export licence applications would continue to be assessed against the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria, used for all applications. In particular an export licence would not be issued if there was a clear risk that the proposed export might be used for internal repression or external aggression.
	The Government supported the decision of the European Council in December 2003 to review the EU Arms Embargo on China. The Government are taking all relevant factors into account in the ongoing review—it does not wish to exclude any options for, nor to pre-empt the conclusion of the review.

EU-China Arms Embargo

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 7 December 2004, Official Report, column 476W, whether the Government would be bound by a decision of the European Council to suspend the arms embargo against China; whether the United Kingdom can unilaterally impose an arms embargo on China; and if he will make a statement.

Jack Straw: Any decision to lift the EU Arms Embargo on China would have to be taken by unanimous agreement of all EU member states, including the UK. EU control of defence equipment exports to China would continue to be governed by the EU Code of Conduct on Arms Exports. It is possible, irrespective of the existence of an EU arms embargo on a country, for a member state to impose a national embargo on that country (as is the case with the UK's embargo on Iran) although arms embargoes are very much more effective when applied multilaterally.

European Constitution

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list changes to the English text of the European Constitution that have occurred since the Intergovernmental Conference, broken down by article.

Denis MacShane: Following the June Intergovernmental Conference (IGC), the draft EU Constitutional Treaty (Command Paper 6289) was consolidated into a single document and drawn up in all the authentic EU languages. These different versions were scrutinised by specialist lawyer linguists, as occurs for every EU Treaty, to ensure there were no discrepancies between the different language versions without making any substantive changes to the text adopted at the IGC. The final text was published as Command Paper 6429. Listing such discrepancies by article would incur disproportionate cost.

Indonesia

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will seek a legal opinion as to whether the UN General Assembly resolution 2504, passed on 19 November 1969, precludes the UN Secretary-General from instigating a Review of the United Nations' own conduct in relation to the 1968–69 Act of Free Choice in West Papua; and if he will make a statement.

Denis MacShane: The resolution does not preclude the Secretary-General from instigating a review. I refer the hon. Member to the reply my hon. Friend the Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Douglas Alexander) gave to him setting out the Government's approach to an investigation of the Act of Free Will on 17 November 2004, Official Report, column 1550W.
	We welcome Indonesian President Yudhoyono's undertaking in his inauguration speech on 20 October to protect the fundamental rights of the people of Papua and to implement the special autonomy law agreed in 2001.

Ministerial Visits

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what ministerial visits are planned for each Minister in his Department in the next six months; and if he will make a statement.

Jack Straw: It is not my practice to announce visits until they are firm. Because of the unpredictable nature of world events and for good reasons of security, final decisions on my, and Ministers', overseas visits are often not possible until very shortly before the day of travel.

Parliamentary Questions

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what target his Department sets for the maximum acceptable time to respond in full to a parliamentary question; and what percentage of answers given by his Department failed to meet this target in each parliamentary session from 1997–98 to 2003–04.

Jack Straw: My Department endeavours to give a substantive answer to all Named day Parliamentary Questions (PQs) on the day specified and to all ordinary written PQs within five working days upon their publication in the 'Questions Book'.
	In Parliamentary Session 2001–02, my Department answered 82 per cent. of Named day PQs on time and 82 per cent. of ordinary written PQs within five working days.
	In 2002–03, my Department answered 74 per cent. of Named day PQs on time and 76 per cent. of ordinary written PQs within five working days.
	In 2003–04, my Department answered 70 per cent. of Named day PQs on time and 86 per cent. of ordinary written PQs within five working days.
	The Foreign and Commonwealth Office only started recording the time taken to answer ordinary written questions in October 2001.

Resignations (Misconduct)

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairshow many locally engaged staff have been dismissed or resigned as a consequence of misconduct in each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement.

Denis MacShane: : The rights of local staff are protected by the employment law of the country in which they are appointed. Missions are not required to report to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on the number and circumstances of local staff dismissals and resignations. To obtain this information from every post in the world would incur disproportionate cost.

Resignations (Misconduct)

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Foreign Service staff have been dismissed or resigned as a consequence of misconduct in each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: holding answer 16 December 2004
	One Foreign and Commonwealth Office officer was dismissed for misconduct in 2002, five in 2003 and three in 2004 (to date).
	In 2002 and 2004 no officers resigned with outstanding misconduct allegations made against them. In 2003 one officer resigned after allegations of misconduct were made but before it was decided if the allegations should be upheld.

Spratly Islands

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions have taken place between Her Majesty's Government and (a) China, (b) Taiwan, (c) Vietnam, (d) Malaysia and (e) the Philippines regarding territorial claims on the Spratly Islands.

Denis MacShane: The status of the Spratly Islands is an issue for the parties disputing sovereignty to resolve. The Government welcomes regional confidence building measures and commitments to find a peaceful resolution to the dispute.

Sudan

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of recent reports of (a) attacks on aid convoys in Darfur and (b) aerial bombings by the Sudanese military in Darfur; when he last raised these matters with (i) members and (ii) representatives of the Sudanese Government; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Mullin: On 12 December, two Save the Children UK (SC(UK)) national staff were tragically killed when a convoy of three clearly marked SC(UK) vehicles was attacked. On 13 December, our Ambassador in Khartoum raised the attack with the State Minister for Foreign Affairs. He also offered our condolences to the Save the Children UK Programme Director in Sudan. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development (Hilary Benn) will be writing to the Head of SC(UK) to express this Government's sympathy. African Union monitors reached the site quickly; initial reports indicate that Sudanese Liberation Army (SLA) rebels are responsible for the attack. I understand that SC(UK) has suspended its operations in South Darfur until further notice.
	On 23 November, our Ambassador in Khartoum raised with the Government of Sudan reports that it had used its air force in response to an SLA attack on Tawilla on 22 November. He made it clear that such attacks violated the Government's commitment in the Abuja Security Protocol to "refrain from hostile military flights in and over Darfur".
	On 6 December, at a meeting in London with the Humanitarian Affairs Minister, I pressed him on the need for the Government of Sudan to abide by this and other commitments it has made, particularly the Abuja Security Protocol.

Taskforces

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much was spent by his Department in each year since 1997 on taskforces and similar bodies.

Bill Rammell: Details of taskforces and similar bodies are not recorded centrally by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and for this reason the cost of these activities could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Uganda

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the meetings held in the last 18 months between (a) himself, (b) members of his Department and (c) UK representatives in Uganda and (i) members and (ii) representatives of the Government of Uganda in which the situation in (A) the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo and (B) the Democratic Republic of Congo in general has been (1) the main topic on the agenda and (2) a major topic on the agenda; what proposals (x) he, (y) members of his Department and (z) UK representatives in Uganda made for the involvement of Uganda in stabilising the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo; how these proposals were met by (aa) members and (bb) representatives of the Government of (I) Uganda and (II) the Democratic Republic of Congo; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Mullin: We regularly discuss the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) with the Ugandan Government. I last raised the subject with President Museveni and the Acting Foreign Minister during my visit in August.
	We will continue to remind Uganda of its obligations to respect the territorial integrity of the DRC following withdrawal of its troops from Ituri province in June 2003, and to encourage it to play a constructive role in building peace in the Great Lakes region.

TREASURY

Inland Revenue/HM Customs and Excise Merger

David Amess: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many redundancies he expects there will be when the Inland Revenue and HM Customs and Excise are merged; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: The Government is committed to achieving efficiencies that will result in a gross reduction of 16,000 posts in the merged Department by 2008, following the report by Sir Peter Gershon. Efficiencies generated by bringing the two departments together are expected to account for around 3,200 of the total. It is too early to say what effect the changes will have on any particular location. We will be exploring all options to redeploy and retrain staff and are committed to working with Trade Unions.

Inland Revenue/HM Customs and Excise Merger

Oliver Letwin: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is his policy to bring Customs and Excise under the remit of The General and Special Commissioners of Tax.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the White Paper issued in July 2004 by the Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs, "Transforming Public Services: Complaints, Redress and Tribunals". This sets out the Government's plans for The General and Special Commissioners of Income Tax and for the VAT and Duties Tribunal.

Alcohol-related Deaths

Simon Hughes: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for how many deaths within (a) North Southwark and Bermondsey and (b) the London borough of Southwark alcohol was found to be a primary cause in each of the last five years.

Stephen Timms: holding answer 16 December 2004
	The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Simon Hughes, dated 20 December 2004
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking for how many deaths within (a) North Southwark and Bermondsey and (b) the London Borough of Southwark, alcohol was found to be a primary cause in each of the last five years. (205547)
	The latest year for which figures are available is 2003. The attached table shows the numbers of deaths among residents of North Southwark and Bermondsey parliamentary constituency and the London Borough of Southwark where the underlying cause of death indicated a condition directly related to alcohol use in the years 1999 to 2003.
	
		Alcohol-related deaths(24)for North Southwark and Bermondsey parliamentary constituency and the London borough of Southwark(25) 1999 to 2003(26)
		
			  Number of deaths 
			  North Southwark and Bermondsey  Southwark 
		
		
			 1999 11 28 
			 2000 18 40 
			 2001 15 38 
			 2002 13 29 
			 2003 16 36 
		
	
	(24) For the years 1999–2000 the cause of death was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9). The codes used by ONS to define alcohol-related deaths are listed as follows:
	291—Alcoholic psychoses
	303—Alcohol dependence syndrome
	305.0—Non-dependent abuse of alcohol
	425.5—Alcoholic cardiomyopathy
	571—Chronic liver disease and cirrhosis
	E860—Accidental poisoning by alcohol
	(25) Usual residents of these areas.
	(26) Deaths occurring in each calendar year.
	For the years 2001–03 the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) was used. To maintain comparability with earlier years the following codes were used:
	F10—Mental and behavioural disorders due to use of alcohol
	142.6—Alcoholic cardiomyopathy
	K70—Alcoholic liver disease
	K73—Chronic hepatitis, not elsewhere classified
	K74—Fibrosis and cirrhosis of liver
	X45—Accidental poisoning by and exposure to alcohol
	The selection of codes to define alcohol-related deaths is described in:
	Baker A and Rooney C (2003). Recent trends in alcohol-related mortality, and the impact of ICD-10 on the monitoring of these deaths in England and Wales. Health Statistics Quarterly 17, pp 5–14.

Child Trust Fund

David Stewart: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many families in the constituency of Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber (a) would have been eligible for the Child Trust Fund in 2004 and (b) he estimates will be eligible for the Child Trust Fund in 2005, based on the actual figures for live births between 2002 and 2004.

Stephen Timms: All children born since 1 September 2002 in families awarded child benefit will receive a Child Trust Fund. In 2005–06 around 700,000 families will benefit from the Child Trust Fund across the country as a whole. No exact estimate is available for the number of children benefiting in Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber in 2004 or 2005. However, there were 816 new births in Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber in 2002, and 920 new births in the area in 2003. Provisional figures for 2004 to date show 920 new births in the area.
	The CTF is intended to encourage parents and children to develop the savings habit. It will ensure that every child, whatever their family background, will have access to a stock of assets from the age of 18, so they can invest in their future.
	It will also help children and their parents to understand the benefits of saving and investment and how to engage with financial institutions.

Christmas Cards

David Davis: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how many hours of staff time were taken up in preparation of Christmas cards in 2004;
	(2)  how many Departmental staff have responsibility for preparing Christmas cards;
	(3)  what percentage of official Departmental Christmas cards included a contribution to charity in their cost; and which charities benefited from such a contribution;
	(4)  what the cost of postage was for official Departmental Christmas cards in (a) 2003 and (b) 2004;
	(5)  what the cost was of purchasing official Departmental Christmas cards in (a) 2003 and (b) 2004;
	(6)  how many official Christmas cards were sent out by his Department in (a) 2003 and (b) 2004.

Stephen Timms: It is difficult to disaggregate the staff time spent preparing and sending Christmas cards, but across the Treasury the costs are minimal.
	The Treasury procures its Christmas cards from the charity Card Aid. A third of the price of each card (23 pence) goes to the charity. In 2003 the Treasury procured 12,700 cards at £11,640, excluding VAT, and to date in 2004 the Treasury has purchased 10,714 cards at £9,852. Those costs are exclusive of VAT and include printing, packaging and delivery. Information in relation to the cost of postage is not available.

Coal Mining

George Foulkes: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what consideration he has given to fiscal incentives to assist the coal mining industry in (a) flue gas desulphurisation and (b) clean coal technology.

John Healey: The Government's approach to using fiscal instruments for environmental measures is set out in "Tax and the environment: using economic instruments" which was published alongside the Pre-Budget Report 2002 and available at www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/media/D54/07/adtaxenviron02–332kb.pdf. The Government consulted earlier this year on the development of a Carbon Abatement Technology Strategy and supports investment through the Cleaner Coal Technology Programme. The Government has no plans to introduce fiscal incentives for flue gas desulphurisation or clean coal technology, although these are kept under review.

Combined Heat and Power Schemes

Richard Younger-Ross: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much financial support has been directed to combined heat and power schemes as a result of (a) the enhanced capital allowances programme and (b) business rates exception in each year from 2001 to 2003.

John Healey: The amount of Enhanced Capital Allowances claimed on combined heat and power (CHP) schemes is not separately identified on tax returns. The estimated cost to the exchequer for the enhanced capital allowances for all energy saving equipment (including good quality CHP) introduced in 2001 is set out in Table A2.1 page 150 of the Financial Statement and Budget Report 2001. Business properties are generally valued as a whole and it is not possible to separate out the effect of business rate exemptions to CHP plants. This information is not routinely collected.

Departmental Costs

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the cost was of (a) in-house canteen and (b) other catering services provided by his Department in each of the last two years.

Stephen Timms: The cost of in-house staff restaurant and associated facilities was £183,165 in 2002–03 and £193,185 in 2003–04. My hon. Friend's reply on 9 April 2003, Official Report, column 270W to the hon. Member gave a cost for other catering services during 2001–02 of £198,048. Comparable figures for 2002–03 and 2003–04 are not available due to the introduction of a new accounting system. However, this information will be available for future years.

Departmental Costs

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will list the equipment leasing arrangements entered into by his Department in each of the last two years; and what the cost is to public funds in each case.

Stephen Timms: Equipment under lease by the Department entered into within the last two years are:
	
		
			  Description  Use  Lease Start Date  Lease End Date Estimated Annual Charge (£) 
		
		
			 Xerox DC470ST Scanning/Photocopying/Printing December 2003 July 2005 5,276 
			 Xerox Docucentre Scanning/Photocopying/Printing February 2003 July 2005 3,732 
			 Franking Machine Postage January 2004 January 2010 1,500 
			 Photocopiers4 Scanning/Photocopying/Printing/Colour Finishing June 2004 and Nov 2004 May 2007 and Oct 2007 16,000

Departmental Policies

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will set out, including statistical information relating as directly as possible to the constituency, the effect on Middlesbrough, South and Cleveland, East constituency of his Department's policies since 8 June 2001.

Stephen Timms: The Government have put in place a radical programme of both macroeconomic and microeconomic reform since our election in 1997 to improve the economic performance of all parts of the UK. There is significant evidence that these policies have already yielded considerable benefits for the Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland constituency. For example, since May 1997, claimant unemployment has fallen by over 50 per cent., and both long-term unemployment and long-term youth unemployment have fallen by 80 per cent. Looking more specifically at improvements since the 8 of June 2001, the beginning of our second term in government, claimant unemployment has fallen by a third, long-term unemployment overall has fallen by 50 per cent. and long-term youth unemployment has fallen by almost 40 per cent. In November 2002 2845 families were benefiting from the Working Families' Tax Credit; by January 2004 4000 working families were benefiting from more than the family element of Child Tax Credit, an increase of 41 per cent.
	The Neighbourhood Statistics Service provides a wide range of statistical information at Parliamentary constituency level, taken from the 2001 Census and other sources. This service is available on the National Statistics website at http://neighbourhood.statistics. gov.uk./.

ECOFIN

Jimmy Hood: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the outcome was of the ECOFIN Council held on 16 November; what the Government's stance was on the issues discussed, including its voting record; and if he will make a statement.

Gordon Brown: I attended ECOFIN Council on 16 November in Brussels.
	The Council held a policy debate on the main issues raised in the review of the EU's Stability and Growth Pact (SGP). The Council requested the EFC to continue work on the following issues in light of the debate: Taking account of the economic cycle when using fiscal policy; better definition of the national medium-term budgetary objective; making the debt criterion more operational; improving the implementation of the excessive deficit procedure; taking structural reforms into account; and improving governance.
	The Council welcomed the report by Eurostat on Greece's deficit and debt data for the period since 1997, in light of the recently revised data. Ministers stated their intention to return to the question of accountability and possible future action to prevent the re-occurrence of such an event, based on a Commission report. Ministers mandated the EFC to examine such a report closely and report to ECOFIN. Ministers will also assess the excessive deficit situation of Greece at the earliest opportunity based on a Commission recommendation. Ministers encouraged the Greek authorities to live up to their commitment under the excessive deficit procedure to take sufficient corrective measures.
	The Council held an orientation debate on the Commission's proposals for modifying, under the EU's financial framework for 2007–13 period, the system of own resources for the financing of the EU budget and the mechanism used for the correction of excessive net budgetary imbalances by member states. There were no Council Conclusions. The Presidency noted that: a broad majority of delegations were in favour of the current arrangements but with some technical improvements, such as the idea of switching to a GNI-based system moving away from the current system based in part on member states' shares of a notional VAT-base; an overwhelming majority of delegations did not support the Commission's idea of introducing a new tax-based EU own resource; and that a broad spectrum of views were expressed on the Commission's proposal for the establishment of a generalised correction mechanism. I set out the Government's position on the Commission's proposals, noting that the expenditure proposals were unacceptable that the UK's position for a budget of no more than 1 per cent. EU GNI was clear and that the focus needed to be on what the EU spends its money on. I also stressed that the UK abatement remained fully justified.
	The Council broadly welcomed the Report of the High Level Group chaired by Mr. Wim Kok. The Council agreed conclusions that stressed particularly: achieving higher growth and employment; reforms aimed at accelerating Europe's employment and productivity growth; political ownership and leadership; the central role of the BEPGs (Broad Economic Policy Guidelines) and of multilateral surveillance; and increasing accountability, for example through 'benchmarking'. The Council agreed the direction of the Lisbon strategy 'is right and imperative, but much more urgency is needed in its implementation'. The Council will closely examine the proposals to be presented by the Commission on the mid-term review, and invited the Economic Policy Committee (EPC), in this regard, to assist it in the preparation of its contribution to the 2005 Spring European Council. In this context, the UK highlighted the Wood Review and its messages for European Public Procurement.
	The Council adopted conclusions without debate on financial integration and the review of the Lamfalussy framework. These conclusions highlight that the Council considers, on the basis of initial evidence, the Lamfalussy framework to have been successful in meeting its key objectives. The Council, on financial integration, concluded that 'all future legislative proposals be accompanied by thorough impact assessment'.
	The Council took note of a presentation by the Commission of legislative proposals aimed at simplifying business obligations relating to value added tax. The Presidency indicated the Council should look broadly favourably at this proposal.
	The Council reached a political agreement on a proposal for a Regulation on controls of cash entering or leaving the Community. The agreement was reached by qualified majority, with only the Italian delegation voting against. The Council decided to set at 10,000 euros the threshold above which individuals will be required to declare cash when crossing the EU's external frontiers.
	The Council briefly discussed the issue of reduced rates of value added tax and agreed to re-examine the dossier at its meeting on 7 December.
	The Council was briefed by the Commission and by the President of the European Investment Bank (EIB) on implementation of the European Action for Growth launched by the European Council last December.
	A meeting also took place between EU Ministers and Candidate Countries (Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia and Turkey). Ministers discussed the structural challenges facing the Candidate Countries on the basis of an EPC report.

ECOFIN

Jimmy Hood: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the outcome was of the ECOFIN Council held on 7 December 2004; what the Government's stance was on the issues discussed, including its voting record; and if he will make a statement.

Gordon Brown: Jon Cunliffe, Managing Director of Macroeconomic Policy and International Finance, represented the UK at ECOFIN.
	The Council took note of a report by the Commission on the issue of accountability as regards revisions by Greece of data it had previously provided for the assessment of its budgetary situation and of a report by Eurostat on the revision of the figures. The Council also took note of the Commission's decision to launch an infringement procedure as a practical consequence of its accountability report. The Council will return to the issues of how to improve the governance in the European statistical system early next year. Council agreed conclusions without debate.
	The Commission and the European Central Bank presented the 2004 convergence reports on the economic performance of the 11 member states with a derogation from the Euro—this does not include the UK. The report included for the first time an assessment of the 11 new members states' progress towards adoption of the euro. The Commission noted none of the 11 member states with fulfilled the conditions for Euro entry. Council took note of this presentation.
	The Presidency concluded that most member states thought the progress report on the EU's financial framework for 2007–23 was a useful contribution to the European Council, and that the building blocks broadly represented the range of member states' opinions. ECOFIN highlighted the need to respect national processes of fiscal consolidation in determining the EU budget for the next period, as well as the principles of EU value added, proportionality and solidarity. There was also a general view that the particular needs of the new member states should be fully taken into account, and that revenue would need to be part of the final overall package.
	The Council took note of the presentation by Mr. Gijs de Vries, EU Counter- Terrorism Coordinator, of a strategy document prepared by the High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy and by the Commission on prevention of the financing of terrorists and terrorist groups. The paper was approved and it was agreed to forward the document to the General Affairs Council with a view to the European Council meeting on 16 and 17 December. The strategy provides an overview of the EU's actions to date and a number of recommendations on how they might be further strengthened.
	The Council agreed a general approach on a proposal for a Directive aimed at preventing the use of the financial system for the purpose of money laundering and terrorist financing. It asked the Presidency to engage contacts with representatives of the European Parliament with a view to enabling the Directive to be adopted in first reading.
	The Council agreed a general approach on two directives which will implement the Basel II Accord adopted by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision. The proposals modernise capital adequacy requirements for banks and investment firms, significantly improving the existing rules. The Council requested the Presidency continue contacts with representatives of the European Parliament in order to explore the possibility of adopting the directives in the first reading.
	The Council agreed a general approach on a proposal for a Directive aimed at improving the reliability of company financial statements by establishing minimum requirements for the audit of company accounts. It asked the Presidency to engage contacts with representatives of the European Parliament with a view to enabling the Directives to be adopted in first reading. The draft directive introduce a number of provisions in order to better ensure independence amongst statutory auditors and audit firms.
	The Council was briefed by the Presidency on the follow-up given to conclusions adopted at its meeting on 21 October regarding the potential burden on business of compliance with EU legislation and regulations. The six Presidency Initiative on Regulatory Reform was launched. This initiative spanning the Presidencies of Ireland, Netherlands, Luxembourg, UK, Austria and Finland, contains proposals to promote a better regulatory framework in the EU.
	The Council examined a draft Directive aimed at changing the place of taxation to the place of consumption for business to business supplies of services. Discussion focused on the early entry into force of the Directive and on provisions relating to the long-term leasing of motor vehicles. The Council requested the incoming Luxembourg Presidency to consult further on these issues and to report back at a future meeting with a view to enabling it to reach an agreement.
	The Council took note of the intentions of the Luxembourg and United Kingdom delegations to put forward suggestions concerning the organisation of work on the issue of VAT reduced rates during their forthcoming Presidencies. The Council also took note of the presentation by the Commission of a note on the issue.
	Jon Cunliffe, Managing Director of Macroeconomic Policy and International Finance, represented the UK

Exports (Manufactured Goods)

Brian H Donohoe: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate his Department has made of the (a) value and (b) percentage of exports which comprised manufactured goods in the last year for which figures are available.

Stephen Timms: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Colin Mowl to Mr. Brian Donohoe, dated 20 December 2004
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about exports of manufactured goods. I am replying in his absence. (206038)
	The latest published information is for October 2004 when UK exports of manufactured goods were estimated at £13.2 billion on a seasonally adjusted Balance of Payments basis. This represented 55% of total exports of goods and services for the same month, which were estimated at £24.1 billion.
	These estimates were published on 9 December. They may be found in Tables A13 and Al of the Monthly Review of External Trade Statistics, which is available on the National Statistics website at: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/statbase/Product.asp?vlnk=61

Financial Services Ombudsman

Wayne David: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how long on average it took the Financial Services Ombudsman to investigate complaints in the last year for which figures are available.

Stephen Timms: The Financial Ombudsman Service's Annual Review of the year 1 April 2003 to 31 March 2004 states that the average time taken to resolve a complaint by guided mediation, an informal settlement process, was four months. Cases where either party to the dispute requests a more formal review in order to settle the dispute took on average nine months
	In this period, the Financial Ombudsman Service received a total of 97,901 complaints which were referred to adjudicators. The Service resolved 47 per cent. of these complaints within three months, 79 per cent. within six months and 91 per cent. within nine months.

Freedom of Information Act

John Hayes: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place in the Library a list of documents held by his Department that (a) may be disclosed under provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and (b) have been destroyed within the preceding four months that pertain to (i) the European Constitution and (ii) the criteria for acceding to the euro.

Stephen Timms: The Freedom of Information Act establishes a general statutory right of access to information. Once implemented, on 1 January 2005, a person who writes to a public authority and asks for information will have the right to be told whether or not the authority has the information and, if so, to have that information communicated to him, subject to clearly defined exemptions.
	Every piece of information held must be considered individually. To consider every document held pertaining to the European Constitution and the criteria for acceding to the euro, and to identify which might be disclosed, could only be achieved at disproportionate cost.
	HM Treasury keeps records for as long as they are needed for administrative and business purposes. Records of enduring historical value are selected for permanent preservation under the guidance and supervision of the National Archives, on the basis of guidelines which are published on the National Archives website at http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/recordsmanagement/advice/.

Gross Domestic Product

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues regarding the level of net taxes and social security contributions as a proportion of gross domestic product.

Dawn Primarolo: The Chancellor of the Exchequer regularly has discussions with Cabinet colleagues on public finance issues.

Gross Domestic Product

Brian H Donohoe: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his latest estimate is of the (a) proportion, (b) percentage and (c) value of gross domestic product that is contributed by the manufacturing industry.

Stephen Timms: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Brian Donohoe, dated 20 December 2004
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question on what the latest estimate is of the (a) proportion, (b) percentage and (c) value of gross domestic product that is contributed by the manufacturing industry. (206039)
	Manufacturing comprised 15.7 per cent. of gross value added in 2003. This represents a contribution of £152.8 billion.
	The contribution of industries to the economy is normally shown by their contribution to GVA. The difference between GVA and gross domestic product is taxes less subsidies on products (e.g. VAT, excise duties) which cannot be allocated across industries.

Human Rights Act

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many cases have been brought against his Department under the Human Rights Act 1998; and what the cost has been in (a) legal fees to defend cases and (b) compensation payments.

Stephen Timms: No case has been brought against HM Treasury wholly or chiefly under the Human Rights Act 1998.

Income Tax (Wandsworth)

Tom Cox: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people living in the London borough of Wandsworth pay income tax at (a) the basic rate and (b) the higher rate; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer my hon. Friend to tables 3.11 'Income and tax by region and country' and 3.14 'Total income by borough and district or unitary authority' on the IR website www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/stats/income_distribution/menu.htm.

IT (Disciplinary Procedures)

George Osborne: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff in his Department have (a) received official warnings and (b) faced disciplinary procedures following breaches of IT policy in each year since 1997.

Stephen Timms: The number of staff in HM Treasury to (a) receive official warnings and (b) face disciplinary procedures following breaches of IT policy in each year since 1997 is as follows:
	
		
			  Warnings Disciplinary action 
		
		
			 1997 1 1 
			 1998 0 0 
			 1999 1 1 
			 2000 3 3 
			 2001 1 1 
			 2002 1 1 
			 2003 (27)0 1 
			 2004 4 4 
		
	
	(27) The member of staff resigned during the disciplinary investigation

Special Advisers

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  if he will list the attributable interviews that his Department's special advisers gave to (a) newspapers, (b) journals, (c) books and (d) other media in their official capacity between 31 March 2003 and 31 March 2004;
	(2)  if he will list the attributable (a) articles and (b) contributions that his Department's special advisers made to (i) newspapers, (ii) journals, (iii) books and (iv) other media in their official capacity between 31 March 2003 and 31 March 2004.

Stephen Timms: All Special Advisers' contacts with the media are conducted in accordance with the requirements of the Code of Conduct of Special Advisers.

Special Advisers

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether departmental special advisers have attended meetings with external (a) bodies and (b) individuals, in their official capacity and without Ministers, since May 1997.

Stephen Timms: Special Advisers hold meetings with a wide range of external representatives in their official capacity. All such meetings are conducted in accordance with the requirements of the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers.

Special Advisers

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether departmental special advisers have made speeches in their official capacity since May 1997.

Stephen Timms: Any speeches made by special advisers in an official capacity are conducted in accordance with the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers.

Special Advisers

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  whether departmental special advisers have been responsible for authorising instances of departmental spending since May 1997;
	(2)  whether departmental special advisers have given instructions to permanent civil servants without the explicit authorisation of Ministers since May 1997.

Stephen Timms: I refer the hon. member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office (David Miliband) on 16 December 2004, Official Report, columns 1258–59W.

Special Advisers

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether departmental special advisers have written to external (a) bodies and (b) individuals in their official capacity since May 1997.

Stephen Timms: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the former Minister for the Cabinet Office (Ruth Kelly) on 14 December 2004, Official Report, column 1004W.

Special Advisers

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether departmental special advisers have made appearances before parliamentary select committees in their official capacity since May 1997.

Stephen Timms: Ed Balls sometimes accompanied the Chancellor of the Exchequer at Treasury Committee hearings.

Stamp Duty

Mark Prisk: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate has been made of the revenue expected from stamp duty land tax on commercial leases in (a) 2004–05 and (b) 2005–06.

Stephen Timms: Estimates of the revenue from stamp duty were published in Table B13 of the Pre Budget 2004 Report. http://www.hm-treasurv.gov.uk/media/92C/40/pbr04 chapB 32O.pdf. No reliable further breakdown is available.

Stamp Duty

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what mechanism is used to ensure that stamp duty collected by conveyancers is not collected in error in relation to properties that are subject to exemption; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: Disadvantaged Areas Relief from Stamp Duty Land Tax is due only if a valid claim is made in a Stamp Duty Land Tax Return or an amendment to such a return. The Inland Revenue provides advice, including a postcode search tool, on its website to help taxpayers and their professional advisers to decide whether they should claim.

Tax Credits

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the processing of tax credit claims.

Dawn Primarolo: Over 6 million families are now benefiting from tax credits and 10 and a half million children are benefiting.
	The tax credits computer system captures data from claims, checks entitlement, calculates tax credit awards, sends out a decision notice and makes payments automatically.
	The Inland Revenue aim to decide 55 per cent. of all tax credit claims, renewals and change of circumstances in five working days and 95 per cent. in 30 working days. It published its progress against Public Service Agreement (PSA) targets in the Board's Annual Report, published in October 2004, which is available on the internet at http://www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk.

Tax Credits

Frank Field: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many interim giro payments for tax credits were made by the Inland Revenue in (a) 2003–04 and (b) the current tax year; and how many of these were made (i) to prevent hardship following the reduction of an award and (ii) as manual payments of tax credits.

Dawn Primarolo: For 2003–04, the numbers are shown at paragraph 2.14 in the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General attached to the Inland Revenue Report and Accounts for the year ending 31 March 2004.
	Between April and November 2004 inclusive, about 280,000 manual payments were issued, of which about 3,000 were to prevent hardship following the reduction of an award.

Tax Credits

Frank Field: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the Inland Revenue expects to introduce fully automated reconciliations of payments authorised against payments made with regard to the processing of tax credits.

Dawn Primarolo: A new reconciliation arrangement was introduced in August 2004. While not fully automated it allows us to ensure we complete the 2004–05 reconciliation shortly after 5 April 2005.
	New software is being developed which will make possible a fully automated process. It should be available in late 2005/early 2006.

Tax Credits

David Wilshire: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make a statement on the delays experienced by Mrs. Jennifer East, a constituent, in her dealings with the Tax Credit Office.

Dawn Primarolo: I understand that the Inland Revenue is making a thorough investigation of Mrs. East's case and will write to the hon. member's constituent shortly.

Tax Credits

Ashok Kumar: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effects of tax credits on the number of children living in poverty in Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland constituency.

Dawn Primarolo: The introduction of the Child and Working Tax Credits has led to a significant increase in the number of working families benefiting from financial support through tax credits in Middlesborough South and East Cleveland. In November 2002 2,845 families were benefiting from the Working Families' Tax Credit; by January 2004 4,000 working families were benefiting from more than the family element of Child Tax Credit, an increase of 41 per cent. It is not possible to estimate the number of children living in poverty in a particular constituency.

Tax Credits

John Mann: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff have been seconded to the team dealing with overpayment of tax credits; and at what cost.

Dawn Primarolo: holding answer 7 December 2004
	None.

Unemployment

Janet Dean: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how many people under 25 years of age were unemployed and claiming benefit in Burton on 1 December (a) 1997 and (b) 2004;
	(2)  how many long-term unemployed people aged (a) under 25 years and (b) over 25 years there were in Burton on 1st December (i) 1997 and (ii) 2004.

Stephen Timms: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Colin Mowl to Mrs. Janet Dean, dated 20 December 2004
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions about unemployment in Burton. I am replying in his absence. (205538 & 205539)
	The Office for National Statistics (ONS) compiles statistics of unemployment from the Labour Force Survey (LFS) following International Labour Organisation definitions. However, the LFS sample size is too small to give reliable estimates in reply to your particular questions about unemployment in the Burton Constituency.
	ONS also compiles statistics of those claiming Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) for local areas including parliamentary constituencies.
	The attached table gives the number of people aged under 25 years old resident in the Burton constituency claiming JSA benefits. It also gives the numbers aged under 25 years and those aged over 25 years claiming for over 12 months for November 1997 and November 2004.
	
		JSA claimants resident in the Burton constituency
		
			  All claimants People claiming for over 1 year(28) 
			 As at November each year Aged under 25 Aged under 25 Aged 25 and over 
		
		
			 1997 520 50 425 
			 2004 260 0 60 
		
	
	(28) Computerised claims only.
	Source:
	Jobcentre Plus Administrative system.

Unemployment

Tim Boswell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what the ratio of young jobless people, including those on New Deal programmes, to the total number of unemployed persons was in each of the last 10 years;
	(2)  how many young people over 16 years were not in education, employment or training in each of the last 10 years, expressed as a proportion of the total adult labour force.

Stephen Timms: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Tim Boswell, dated 20 December 2004
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Questions about employment. (205328, 205329)
	The tables attached show the available information.
	Table 1 shows numbers of unemployed people aged 16 to 24 expressed as percentages of total unemployed aged 16 and over. Table 2 shows numbers of young people aged 16 to 24 who were not in education, employment or training expressed as proportion of working age population. Both tables cover the three month period ending in October for years from 1995 to 2004.
	These estimates from the Labour Force Survey are, as with any sample survey, subject to sampling variability.
	
		Table 1: Unemployed people aged 16–24 as percentage of total unemployed aged 16 and over -- Three months ending October each year
		
			 Seasonally adjusted Percentage 
		
		
			 1995 29.8 
			 1996 31.5 
			 1997 32.4 
			 1998 34.1 
			 1999 33.4 
			 2000 35.9 
			 2001 37.3 
			 2002 36.4 
			 2003 39.0 
			 2004 42.2 
		
	
	Source:
	Labour Force Survey
	
		Table 2: Young people aged 16 to 24 who are not in education, employment or training as proportion of working age population(29) -- Three months ending in October each year
		
			 Seasonally adjusted Percentage 
		
		
			 1995 1.9 
			 1996 1.9 
			 1997 1.6 
			 1998 1.4 
			 1999 1.6 
			 2000 1.6 
			 2001 1.6 
			 2002 1.7 
			 2003 1.8 
			 2004 1.8 
		
	
	(29) Working age population comprises men aged 16 to 64 and women aged 16 to 59.
	Source:
	ONS Labour Force Survey

Working Tax Credit

Brian Iddon: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many complaints the Inland Revenue has received concerning (a) incorrect awards and (b) overpayment of working tax credit.

Dawn Primarolo: This information is not available.

Working Tax Credit

Brian Iddon: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make the formula used in the calculation available to recipients of working tax credit.

Dawn Primarolo: The Inland Revenue's booklet WTC2 "Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit—A guide", which is available from the Inland Revenue Enquiry Centres and the Inland Revenue website, explains how working tax credit is made up of several elements, what those elements are and how an award is worked out. There are also examples of how tax credits awards are calculated.
	Recipients of working (and child) tax credit can call the tax credits helpline to ask for a detailed breakdown of the calculation of their award.

Working Tax Credit

Brian Iddon: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer what reasons underlie the policy that recipients of working tax credit who have been overpaid have to wait until April 2005 for repayment; and if he will make it his policy that repayment be accepted on a (a) weekly and (b) monthly basis.

Dawn Primarolo: The Inland Revenue's Code of Practice "What happens if we have paid you too much tax credit?" sets out their approach to handling overpayments of tax credits.
	Overpayments are collected from continuing awards wherever possible, subject to automatic limits on how much they collect.

Working Tax Credit

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of claimants in Scotland benefiting from the childcare element of the working tax credit; and what percentage this figure represents of the number of people eligible to claim.

Dawn Primarolo: The numbers benefiting up to April 2004 are shown in Table 8.3 of "Child and Working Tax Credits. Quarterly Statistics". These publications appear on the Inland Revenue website, at www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/stats/personal-tax-credits/menu. htm. Figures for December 2004 will be published on 23 December. No estimate is available of the number eligible to benefit.

Working Tax Credit

Theresa May: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people have been overpaid working tax credit; and how much has been (a) overpaid and (b) repaid.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Members for Northavon (Mr. Webb) and for Yeovil (Mr. Laws) on 15 November 2004, Official Report, columns 946–48W.

HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION

Broadband Access

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission how many honourable Members have broadband access in their constituency offices; and how many are waiting to be connected to broadband in their constituency offices.

Archy Kirkwood: I understand that 367 hon. Members have constituency offices with broadband access provided by the Parliamentary Communications Directorate. 3 members have requested but not yet received a broadband connection.
	Some Members may be using broadband services in their constituency offices provided through other sources.

Electrical Equipment

Norman Baker: To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission 
	(1)  what percentage of electrical equipment was removed for replacement from offices on the parliamentary estate in each of the last three years; and of this, what percentage is diverted for (a) landfill, (b) incineration and (c) reuse of parts;
	(2)  what targets have been set on recycling of electrical equipment removed from offices on the parliamentary estate; and if he will make a statement.

Archy Kirkwood: Around 25 per cent. of electrical equipment is replaced each year. The House of Commons has a number of computer equipment disposal contracts in place. The largest contract is managed by the Parliamentary Communications Directorate and uses a firm that offers obsolete equipment for resale. Equipment that cannot be re-sold is disposed of in an environmentally sensitive way and in compliance with the WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) Directive. A unified approach to the disposal of computer equipment is currently being considered and a new contract relating to the disposal of Members equipment is currently part of an EU procurement exercise.
	The House does not have any targets for the recycling of electrical equipment at present. The main disposal contracts with third parties seek to ensure compliance with the WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) Directive.

Energy Use

Norman Baker: To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission 
	(1)  what targets have been set on reducing energy use on the parliamentary estate; and if he will make a statement:
	(2)  what measures are being taken to encourage energy conservation among Members and staff on the parliamentary estate.

Archy Kirkwood: Energy use on the parliamentary estate is measured in kWh per sq m per year. The target for 2004–05 is 340 kWh per sq m with an allowance for the gas consumed in commissioning the new Palace boilers.
	An "Energy Savers Group" including representatives of the departments of the two Houses and Members' staff meets regularly to encourage energy saving and act as champions in their respective areas of the estate. They have arranged for energy saving messages to be distributed with staff salary slips and to be printed in the "In House" magazine and they have distributed energy saving posters. In conjunction with the Carbon Trust, training is programmed for kitchen staff and other major energy users.

Energy Use

Norman Baker: To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission how many computers there are on the parliamentary estate; and what the estimated average daily energy usage of a computer on the parliamentary estate is.

Archy Kirkwood: It is not possible to determine the exact number of computers on the parliamentary estate since not all of them are connected to the Parliamentary Network or issued centrally. In addition to this laptop computers may be taken onto and off the estate. As an indication of the numbers involved the Parliamentary Communications Directorate currently provides automatic downloads of anti-virus software to 3,763 personal computers on the Estate. It is not possible to give information on energy usage based on existing records.

Parliamentary Press Lobby

John Gummer: To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission 
	(1)  what the cost was of the provision of (a) desks and (b) telephones for the parliamentary press lobby in the last year for which figures are available;
	(2)  how much is paid by House of Commons press pass holders, or their employers, for the cost of accommodation on the parliamentary estate;
	(3)  how many House of Commons press pass holders have access to desks on the parliamentary estate.

Archy Kirkwood: In the financial year 2003–04 nothing was spent on providing desks for the parliamentary press lobby. The cost of telephone calls made from the lobby in the year September 2003 to August 2004 was around £9,000. The press do not pay for accommodation on the estate. There are currently 310 category 28A and 28B passes and 189 work spaces. The allocation of desks is a matter for the press.

Parliamentary Works of Art

James Gray: To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission if he will list works of art and artefacts (a) purchased and (b) sold by the Palace of Westminster in each of the last 10 years; and what price was (i) paid and (ii) achieved in each case.

Archy Kirkwood: A folder containing details of all items purchased from the House of Commons acquisition budget since 1994 has been placed in the Library. The House of Lords has separate acquisition funds.
	No items have been sold over the last 10 years.

Visitors Badges

Sandra Gidley: To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission for what reasons the decision was taken that the public would no longer be provided with visitors' badges; and who was responsible for the decision.

Archy Kirkwood: The Serjeant at Arms and Black Rod jointly decided to curtail the visitor's badge trial as a result of the unacceptable volume of badge losses caused by visitors seeking to retain them. Following consultation with the Advisory Joint Committee on Security, a replacement scheme is to be adopted within the next few weeks based on adhesive paper badges. This scheme is expected to be less expensive and more efficient.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

Electronic Pass Readers

Michael Fabricant: To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee 
	(1)  if he will make a statement on the reliability of electronic door pass readers on the Parliamentary Estate;
	(2)  what percentage of results given by electronic pass readers on the Parliamentary Estate over the last 12 months were false negatives;
	(3)  if he will propose the replacement of the electronic pass reader system with a chip radio frequency system which requires no physical contact between the electronic reader and the pass; and if he will make a statement.

Archy Kirkwood: I have been asked to reply. 
	I am aware of problems with reliability of some of the pass readers on the Parliamentary Estate. While it is not the practice of the Commission to comment on details of operational security matters, I can report that plans for an upgraded pass system for both Houses are being developed, one of the elements of which will be a "proximity" rather than swipe card facility. It is considered that this will provide a more reliable and user-friendly system.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Agency Offices

Roy Beggs: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland at how many locations in Northern Ireland the offices of the Social Security Agency and the Training and Employment Agency have been amalgamated into a single office with a joint working arrangement; and what plans he has to amalgamate other offices.

John Spellar: Of a total network of 35 local social security offices and jobcentres, 22 offices are now operating the joint working arrangements from the new integrated jobs and benefits offices. A further two offices will be co-located by 31 March 2005 and a total of 26 offices will have been completed by 31 March 2006.
	It is envisaged that all 35 offices will have been co-located by 31 March 2007.

Blind and Partially Sighted Persons

Roy Beggs: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many adults are registered blind or partially sighted in each constituency in Northern Ireland.

Angela Smith: The information requested is not available. Figures for the number of adults who are registered blind or partially sighted are not collected centrally. Such information may be collected by individual Health and Social Services Trusts in respect of their own trust, but information is not collected according to Parliamentary constituency.
	Information is, however, collected centrally on the number of registered or eligible to be registered blind and partially sighted adults who were in contact with Social Services staff during the financial year 2003–04, and is shown according to Health and Social Services Trust in the following table:
	
		
			  Number of adults in contact with Social Services, 2003–04 
			 Health and Social Services Trust Blind Partially sighted 
		
		
			 Down Lisburn 275 354 
			 North and West Belfast 180 232 
			 South and East Belfast 323 297 
			 Ulster 184 380 
			 Causeway 39 101 
			 Homefirst 262 357 
			 Armagh and Dungannon 209 334 
			 Craigavon and Banbridge 200 151 
			 Newry and Mourne 206 295 
			 Foyle 199 254 
			 Sperrin Lakeland 127 173 
			 Northern Ireland 2,204 2,928 
		
	
	Note:
	Figures are provisional, and refer to persons aged 16 years or over.

Blind and Partially Sighted Persons

Roy Beggs: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much funding in each Education and Library Board area was used to provide appropriate literature and equipment for blind and partially sighted persons in each of the last three years for which records are available.

Barry Gardiner: Education and Library Boards (ELBs) assess and make provision for pupils on an individual basis, in line with the Code of Practice on the Assessment of Special Educational Needs. Provision for children who are blind and partially sighted may be made in a variety of settings, with different funding streams.
	In a number of cases the ELBs pay fees for children who attend schools/colleges for the blind in GB. These are composite fees, which include an element for equipment and literature. Provision may also be made in special schools, with the majority of these placements in Northern Ireland being made in Jordanstown School: the budget delegated to this school by the North-Eastern Education and Library Board will provide for items of equipment and literature. Provision may also be made in mainstream schools and units. Boards will make available large print literature, CCTV devices, Braillers and appropriate ICT equipment. Other equipment items may be paid for by the schools themselves through their dedicated SEN budgets.
	Due to the diverse nature of the provision for these pupils, the boards cannot quantify funding levels precisely, particularly where the provision is made within a mainstream setting.

Blind and Partially Sighted Persons

Roy Beggs: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many children and young persons under the age of 18 years are registered blind or partially sighted in each constituency in Northern Ireland.

Angela Smith: The information requested is not available. Figures for the number of young persons who are registered blind or partially sighted are not collected centrally. Such information may be collected by individual Health and Social Services Trusts in respect of their own trust, but information is not collected according to parliamentary constituency.
	Information is, however, collected centrally on the number of registered or eligible to be registered blind and partially sighted young persons who were in contact with Social Services staff during the financial year 2003–04, and is shown according to Health and Social Services Trust in the following table:
	
		
			  Number of young persons in contact with Social Services, 2003–04 
			 Health and Social Services Trust Blind Partially sighted 
		
		
			 Down Lisburn 5 31 
			 North and West Belfast 9 26 
			 South and East Belfast 13 17 
			 Ulster 1 3 
			 Causeway 2 5 
			 Homefirst 5 21 
			 Armagh and Dungannon 3 11 
			 Craigavon and Banbridge 15 7 
			 Newry and Mourne 6 32 
			 Foyle 7 15 
			 Sperrin Lakeland 3 26 
			 Northern Ireland 69 194 
		
	
	Note:
	Figures are provisional, and refer to persons aged under 16 years.

Delayed Discharges

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to the response of 2 November 2004, Official Report, column 236W if he will estimate the costs resulting from delayed discharges in the Province over the last 12 months.

Angela Smith: It is estimated that the difference between the weekly cost of an elderly hospital bed and the weekly cost of an elderly nursing home bed is approximately £813 per person per week. However, these resources would not be released if all the delayed discharges at any point in time could be moved immediately to nursing home beds, as this would require additional costs in nursing home provision compared to current service levels.
	Note
	Delayed discharge information is collected only for hospitals which provide an acute service. Delayed discharges refer to persons delayed in these hospitals while awaiting a community care package.

Departmental Costs

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the cost of refurbishing each ministerial private office was in each of the last two years.

Ian Pearson: There has been no expenditure by the Northern Ireland Office on refurbishment of ministerial private offices in either of the last two years.
	This answer relates only to the Northern Ireland Office and does not include information in respect of the 11 Departments of the Northern Ireland Administration.

Electrical Equipment

George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many items of electrical equipment were used by his Department in the last year for which figures are available, broken down by (a) cost and (b) number of each type of item.

Ian Pearson: A record is not kept of all the electrical equipment used by the Northern Ireland Office. The information requested therefore could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
	The answer relates only to the Northern Ireland Office and does not include information in respect of the eleven departments of the Northern Ireland Administration.

Departmental Expenditure

George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much has been spent by his Department on (a) new furniture and (b) hired furniture in each year since 1997.

Ian Pearson: The amount spent by the Northern Ireland Office on new furniture in each year since 1997 is detailed in the following table:
	
		
			  £ 
		
		
			 1997–98 313,748 
			 1998–99 194,499 
			 1999–2000 172,724 
			 2000–01 115,954 
			 2001–02 189,094 
			 2002–03 266,556 
			 2003–04 330,689 
		
	
	The Department does not as a rule rent any furniture, but the exact expenditure, if any, since 1997 could only be identified at disproportionate cost.
	This answer relates only to the Northern Ireland Office and does not include information in respect of the eleven departments of the Northern Ireland Administration.

Departmental Expenditure

George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the cost of refurbishments in his Department was in each year since 1997; and what the planned expenditure is for 2005–06.

Ian Pearson: Records of expenditure on refurbishment are an integral part of records that cover many other items of building maintenance and repair. It would only be possible to identify those items that relate specifically to refurbishment at disproportionate cost.Next year's budget is set on the same basis.
	This answer relates only to the Northern Ireland Office and does not include information in respect of the 11 departments of the Northern Ireland Administration.

Departmental Expenditure

George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much has been spent by his Department on lighting in each year since 1997.

Ian Pearson: It has not been possible to extract the cost of lighting from the general electricity costs for the Department.
	This answer relates only to the Northern Ireland Office and does not include information in respect of the 11 Departments of the Northern Ireland Administration.

Ethnic Minorities

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the extent to which his Department's policies meet the needs of ethnic minorities.

Ian Pearson: In compliance with its statutory duty under Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, the Department has due regard to the promotion of equality of opportunity between persons in nine specified categories, which include persons of different race or ethnic group. Both internal and outward focused policies and practices are screened to ensure they do not have an adverse impact on any of the nine categories, including those of different race or ethnic group.
	The Northern Ireland Office aims to ensure that its staff are treated fairly and equally by promoting equal opportunities policies whereby no employee or job applicant is unfairly discriminated against either directly or indirectly on a number of grounds, including ethnicity. All staff are provided with a copy of this policy.
	The Northern Ireland Office has in place a number of Positive Action initiatives. We have a number of Diversity Networks including one on ethnicity, which have been set up to identify workplace problems their members may experience and pursue solutions with the Diversity Champions, central services or local management. We are also involved in the Cabinet Office initiative and sponsor an Ethnic summer work placement opportunity for ethnic graduates/under graduates.
	Additionally, in order to contribute to the Government's commitment to equality throughout Northern Ireland the NIO participates in the Northern Ireland Race Forum, is involved in a range of Promoting Social Inclusion Interdepartmental Working Groups and is considering in consultation with the Commission for Racial Equality the extent to which the NIO needs to make further provision to meet any outstanding obligations under the Race Relations Act.

Foreign Legislatures

David Burnside: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions have taken place with the Government of the Irish Republic on participation of hon. Members in the lower house of the Parliament of the Irish Republic.

Paul Murphy: I understand the Irish Government has declared it is willing to support the taking forward of certain recommendations made by a committee of the Irish Parliament, including one by which hon. Members of this House representing Northern Ireland constituencies would be invited to a Committee of the Dail concerning Northern Ireland and the Belfast Agreement. This has not been the subject of negotiation with the British Government.

Health Funding

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much the Department for Health, Social Services and Public Safety has allocated to (a) general practitioner pay awards, (b) changes to consultant contracts and (c) agenda for change for (i) 2005–06, (ii) 2006–07 and (iii) 2007–08.

Angela Smith: The budget settlement for 2005–07 has not yet been agreed, a draft budget settlement is currently being consulted on. The amount of funding available for these pay reform initiatives will not be fully known until the outcome of the consultation has been finalised and the revised budget published.

Housing

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people in receipt of housing benefit have been allocated accommodation in the private sector by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive in 2004; and what percentage of the total number of people in receipt of housing benefit this figure represents.

John Spellar: The Housing Executive does not allocate accommodation within the private sector. There are, however, currently 55,892 private sector housing benefit claims in payment. This represents 42.6 per cent. of the total housing benefit caseload.

NHS Digital Hearing Aids

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will permit public private partnerships to be established in the Province to provide access to NHS digital hearing aids.

Angela Smith: Exploratory discussions on public private partnerships are planned for early next year between RNID, who manage the partnerships scheme in England, and relevant professionals in the health service in Northern Ireland.

Paramilitary Prisoners

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations he has received from former paramilitary prisoners regarding perceived discrimination against their children in the employment market; and what steps are being taken to counter such discrimination.

Paul Murphy: My officials have had recent discussions with representatives of former paramilitary prisoners about a range of employment, and related, issues. These include perceived discrimination against their children in the employment market. Discussions continue; and careful consideration is being given to the complex issues involved, including in the context of the Review of Security Vetting in Northern Ireland, which I announced on 12 December 2002, Official Report, column 32WS, and on which my right hon. Friend the Member for Liverpool, Wavertree (Jane Kennedy) made a statement on 15 December 2003, Official Report, column 32WS.

Physical Punishment (Children)

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what his policy is on the use of physical punishment of children by their parents in Northern Ireland.

Ian Pearson: The policy on the use of physical punishment by parents is being co-ordinated by the Office of Law Reform, which is part of the Department of Finance and Personnel. In October of this year I indicated my belief that children in Northern Ireland should not be treated differently to those in England and Wales. Following changes which now appear as section 58 of the Children Act 2004 it is my intention to introduce a similar provision in Northern Ireland.

Cluan Place Investigations

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many hours between 1 August 2003 and 31 July 2004 were spent actively investigating the attempted murders of five persons at Cluan Place on the weekend of 3 to 4 June 2002.

Ian Pearson: This matter was not actively investigated between 1 August 2003 and 31 July 2004. It was actively investigated at the time but no clear lines of inquiry or forensic evidence emerged from the investigation which could have been actively pursued.

Cluan Place Investigations

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people have been detained and questioned in connection with the attempted murder of five persons at Cluan Place in East Belfast on the weekend of 3 to 4 June 2002.

Ian Pearson: No persons have been arrested and questioned in connection with these incidents.

Cluan Place Investigations

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many officers are investigating the attempted murder of five persons on the weekend of 3 to 4 June 2002 at Cluan Place.

Ian Pearson: A Detective Inspector and one Detective Constable were appointed to review the investigation in November 2004. They have been tasked with reviewing the available evidence and determining any lines of inquiry to be followed.

Roads (Expenditure)

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the total expenditure on roads in Northern Ireland has been in each of the last three years.

John Spellar: The Chief Executive of Roads Service (Dr. Malcolm McKibbin) has been asked to write to the hon. Member in response to this question.
	Letter from Dr. Malcolm McKibbin to Lady Hermon, dated 15 December 2004
	You recently asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland a Parliamentary Question about expenditure on roads in Northern Ireland in each of the last three years. I have been asked to reply as these issues fall within my responsibility as Chief Executive of Roads Service.
	Resources and Capital expenditure levels for the three years ended March 2004 are provided in the Table below.
	
		£
		
			  2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 
		
		
			 Resource(30) 130,789 149,369 180,252 
			 Capital(31) 66,382 68,934 73,060 
			 Total expenditure on roads 197,171 218,303 253,312 
		
	
	(30) The resource figures include expenditure on operating and maintenance, and administration costs. It excludes: income; depreciation; cost of capital; expenditure on liability claims; notional costs; and exchange gain/(loss).
	(31) The capital figures include expenditure on roads and bridges, car park and ferry capital, and information technology. It excludes profit/(loss) on disposal of assets.
	I hope this information is helpful.

Sickness Absence

George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many days sick leave were taken by civil servants in the Department in each year since 1997; and what the sickness absence rate was in each year.

Ian Pearson: Northern Ireland Office (NIO) staff comprise both members of the NI Civil Service (NICS) and Home Civil Service (HCS). In the past, HCS calculations have been based on calendar years, while NICS on financial years. It is therefore not possible to provide a corporate NIO figure. However, because of improved systems, this will be possible from the 2004–05 financial year onwards.
	
		Table 1: NIO (Home Civil Servants)
		
			  Number of working days lost to absence Average working days absence per staff year 
		
		
			 1997 2,007 9.0 
			 1998 1,539 6.9 
			 1999 1,728 8.0 
			 2000 1,870 9.3 
			 2001 2,020 10.0 
			 2002 1,661 8.1 
			 2003 1,333 6.5 
		
	
	
		Table 2: NIO (Northern Ireland Civil Servants)
		
			  Number of working days lost to absence Average working days absence per staff year 
		
		
			 1997–98 n/a n/a 
			 1998–99 n/a n/a 
			 1999–2000 n/a n/a 
			 2000–01 12,148 12.8 
			 2001–02 13,396 13.4 
			 2002–03 14,895 13.7 
			 2003–04 16,593 14.0 
		
	
	Note:
	Figures not available prior to 2000–01

WORK AND PENSIONS

Accidents at Work

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in how many accidents at work the influence of (a) alcohol, (b) illegal drugs and (c) legal pharmaceuticals were a contributory causal factor in the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: The information requested is not available.
	The Government believe that drug and alcohol misuse in the workplace is unacceptable and should be taken seriously by employers. The Health and Safety Executive's current guidance on substance misuse recommends that employers should assess the risk from drugs and alcohol at work and take appropriate precautions.

Age Prejudice

Peter Pike: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what requirements are placed upon Jobcentres to comply with the voluntary Code of Practice, Age Diversity at Work, A Practical Guide for Business, in helping those who may suffer from age prejudice to find employment; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: Jobcentre Plus has a Diversity and Equality strategy that includes age. It is supported by a national network group and 11 regional Age Diversity groups that keep staff up to date on age issues, through the use of structured training and newsletters.
	Jobcentre Plus does not accept vacancies from employers containing age restrictions unless they reflect a legal requirement for the job, or a mandatory retirement age.
	Since October 2003 the Jobcentre Plus Employer Diversity Team has been working with employers to promote age diversity in the workforce. They are promoting our Age Positive Campaign's good practice guide with key national employers across Britain.
	Age positive messages feature in the marketing of Jobcentre Plus Employer Services to the targeted top 1,000 small and medium-sized enterprises in each Jobcentre Plus district. Jobcentre Plus Employer Services have developed with private recruitment agencies a Service Level Agreement and ethical charter. These commit recruitment agencies to promote diversity with their employer clients if they wish to enter into partnership arrangements and use Jobcentre Plus to advertise their vacancies.

Benefit Fraud

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many suspected cases of benefit fraud were (a) referred to and (b) investigated by his Department in each year since 1997.

Chris Pond: The information is in the tables.
	
		Number of referrals received
		
			  DWP(32) Local authorities(33) Total 
		
		
			 1996–97 1,340,000 n/a n/a 
			 1997–98 1,360,000 460,000 1,820,000 
			 1998–99 1,330,000 490,000 1,820,000 
			 1999–2000 890,000 430,000 1,320,000 
			 2000–01 870,000 460,000 1,330,000 
			 2001–02 740,000 380,000 1,120,000 
			 2002–03 630,000 290,000 920,000 
			 2003–04 540,000 260,000 800,000 
		
	
	
		Number of cases accepted for investigation
		
			  DWP(32) Local authorities(33) Total 
		
		
			 1996–97 940,000 n/a n/a 
			 1997–98 930,000 400,000 1,330,000 
			 1998–99 920,000 420,000 1,340,000 
			 1999–2000 560,000 350,000 910,000 
			 2000–01 450,000 370,000 820,000 
			 2001–02 400,000 310,000 710,000 
			 2002–03 340,000 200,000 540,000 
			 2003–04 330,000 180,000 510,000 
		
	
	(32) Source: Fraud Information By Sector (FIBS), Resource Management and Fraud Business Report.
	(33) Source: Housing Benefit Management Information System Quarterly Administration Returns April 1996 to March 2004.
	Notes:
	1. The figures have been rounded to the nearest 10 thousand.
	2. DWP figures include both Counter Fraud Investigation Service (CFIS) and National Investigation Service (NIS) referrals.
	3. Figures for local authorities are not available prior to 1997–98.
	4. Figures for non responding local authorities have been estimated.
	n/a—not available

Benefit Fraud

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of (a) fraud and (b) error in social security benefits excluding jobseeker's allowance, income support and housing benefit since 1997; and if he will place the results in the Library.

Chris Pond: The measurement of fraud and error is complex and expensive and therefore it is concentrated on benefits with the highest expenditure and risk of loss, such as income support and jobseeker's allowance. The available information is as follows.
	
		Estimates of fraud and error in social security benefits, excluding jobseeker's allowance, income support and housing benefit since 1997
		
			  Results of incapacity benefit review 2001 
			 Category of overpayment Monetary value (£ million) Percentage of expenditure 
		
		
			 Fraud(34) Up to 19 Up to 0.3 
			 Customer error 16 0.3 
			 Official error 22 0.4 
		
	
	(34) This is an upper limit, as insufficient cases of fraud were uncovered in the review to enable a robust central estimate to be made.
	Note:
	Results from a National Benefit Review of fraud and error in incapacity benefit were published in 2001. The following estimates were made and relate to the period April 2000 to March 2001.
	
		Short-term benefits official error overpayments
		
			  Monetary value (£ million) Benefits covered 
		
		
			 April 2001 to March 2002 43 (35)— 
			 April 2002 to March 2003 43 (35)— 
			 April 2003 to March 2004 53 (35)— 
		
	
	(35) Incapacity benefit and severe disablement allowance.
	Notes:
	1. Annual estimates of official error only are made for short-term benefit overpayments (incapacity benefit and severe disablement allowance).
	2. Previous results were carried out using a different methodology and are not comparable.
	3. These estimates are subject to wide margins of error.
	
		Long-term benefits official error overpayments
		
			  Monetary value (£ million) 
		
		
			 April 2001 to March 2002 43 
			 April 2002 to March 2003 14 
			 April 2003 to March 2004 26 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Annual estimates of official error only are made for long-term benefit overpayments (retirement pension, widow's benefit and bereavement benefit).
	2. Previous results were carried out using a different methodology and are not comparable.
	3. These estimates are subject to wide margins of error.

Benefit Fraud

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many interventions on benefit claims identified as high risk his Department carried out in each year since 1997.

Chris Pond: Extra checks known as interventions are carried out on benefit claims which are identified as carrying a higher risk of fraud and error at specified points of the claim. Gateway interventions take place at the outset of the claim, ensuring that benefit entitlement is properly paid. Further checks known as Caseload interventions occur periodically throughout the duration of claims allowing us to take any necessary early corrective action
	The information requested is not available for the period April 1997 to April 1999. The available information is in the following tables.
	
		Case interventions
		
			  Total interventions Number of changed cases Percentage of cases changed 
		
		
			 1999–2000 1,066,010 89,529 8.4 
			 2000–01 806,825 121,585 15.07 
			 2001–02(36) 1,128,812 177,735 15.74 
			 2002–03(36) 452,290 84,189 18.61 
			 2003–04(36) 493,625 184,082 37.29 
			 Current year to date 247,249 93,129 37.67 
		
	
	(36) These figures do not include active case management interventions or interventions for Northern Ireland.
	
		Gateway interventions
		
			  Total interventions Number of changed cases Percentage of cases changed 
		
		
			 1999–2000 1,026,899 56,803 5.53 
			 2000–01 625,132 64,207 10.27 
			 2001–02(37) 438,402 60,191 13.73 
			 2002–03(37) 299,740 46,216 15.42 
			 2003–04(37) 180,243 36,552 20.26 
			 Current year to date 75,970 16,855 22.19 
		
	
	(37) These figures do not include active case management interventions or interventions for Northern Ireland.

Benefit Payments (Newcastle)

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many (a) men and (b) women receiving (i) incapacity benefit and (ii) severe disablement allowance there were in each ward of the City of Newcastle upon Tyne.

Maria Eagle: The information is not available in the format requested. The available information is in the table.
	
		Incapacity benefit and severe disablement allowance claimants in Newcastle upon Tyne by ward and sex
		
			  Incapacity benefit and severe disablement allowance claimants 
			 Ward name Male Female 
		
		
			 Benwell 425 285 
			 Blakelaw 615 395 
			 Byker 715 420 
			 Castle 270 230 
			 Dene 320 255 
			 Denton 400 285 
			 Elswick 585 320 
			 Fawdon 570 365 
			 Fenham 460 335 
			 Grange 365 270 
			 Heaton 290 225 
			 Jesmond 160 115 
			 Kenton 470 325 
			 Lemington 410 285 
			 Monkchester 675 440 
			 Moorside 550 295 
			 Newburn 390 245 
			 Sandyford 525 240 
			 Scotswood 365 205 
			 South Gosforth 110 70 
			 Walker 660 415 
			 Walkergate 450 315 
			 West City 740 330 
			 Westerhope 330 255 
			 Wingrove 375 260 
			 Woolsington 425 290 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Wards are based on 2003 ward boundaries.
	2. All ward level benefit data is the latest currently available, August 2003.
	3. For data protection reasons we cannot give the gender breakdown for incapacity benefit and severe disablement allowance separately.
	4. All benefit counts have been rounded to a multiple of five to protect the confidentiality of individual claimants.
	Source:
	IAD Information Centre, DWP

Cellulose Fibres

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what studies he has carried out in conjunction with Health and Safety Research into the safety of materials containing cellulose fibres.

Jane Kennedy: In 1998, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) asked the Institute of Environmental Health to carry out a study into the relative risks of chrysotile asbestos and commonly used substitutes including cellulose. Later in the same year HSE also asked the Committee on the Carcinogenicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COC) to advise on the relative carcinogenic risks of three chrysotile asbestos substitutes including cellulose taking into account the report produced by the Institute. The COC advice was that the carcinogenic risk posed by cellulose fibres is likely to be less than that posed by chrysotile. A copy of that advice is available at http://www.advisorybodies.doh.gov.uk/coc/chrys.pdf.

Child Support Agency

John Lyons: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many Child Support Agency cases concerning constituents in Strathkelvin and Bearsden were being investigated on the latest date for which figures are available.

Chris Pond: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mr Doug Smith. He will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
	Letter from Doug Smith to Mr. John Lyons dated 20 December 2004
	In reply to your recent parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many Child Support Agency cases concerning constituents of Strathkelvin and Bearsden were being investigated on the latest date for which figures are available.
	I am not able to supply this information. I can say that at 30 November 2004 around 870 criminal investigations are under way nationally.

Child Support Applications

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent representations he has received on the processing of child support applications; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Pond: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mr. Doug Smith. He will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
	Letter from Doug Smith to Miss Anne McIntosh, dated 20 December 2004
	In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent representations he has received on the processing of child support applications; and if he will make a statement.
	In my evidence to the Work and Pensions Select Committee on 17 November 2004 I outlined the current position in relation to the processing of Child Support applications. I accepted that the current position was not satisfactory. I outlined the steps we were taking in conjunction with EDS, our provider for computer and telephony services, to remedy the position.

Council Tax Benefit

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average reduction in council tax bills for (a) an average household and (b) an average pensioner household in England due to council tax benefit was in the most recent year for which figures are available.

Chris Pond: The available information is in the table.
	
		Average annual council tax benefit in England.
		
			  £ 
		
		
			 All cases 653.00 
			 Recipients aged 60 and over 649.00 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Figures are estimates based on administrative data from local authorities.
	2. The estimates are consistent with PBR 2004 forecasts

Departmental Advertising

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in which Muslim newspapers the Department advertises; and what kinds of advertising the Department places in Muslim newspapers.

Maria Eagle: The Department has conducted campaign advertising in the following newspapers which have a substantial Muslim readership.
	The Nation
	Daily Aushaf
	Janomot
	Potrika
	Surma
	Asian Times
	Al Arab
	Al Ahram
	Bangla Express
	Notun Din
	Bangla Post
	Eastern Eye
	Asian Leader
	Asian People
	Euro Bangla
	Bangla Mirror
	Muslim Weekly
	The Daily Jang
	The Department has also advertised in several ethnic language publications, which have a smaller Muslim readership, these are:
	Garavi Gujarat
	Gujarat Samachar
	Punjab Times
	Sikh Times
	Des Pardes
	Awaze Quam International
	Asian Xpress
	Additional Muslim publications, which are not newspapers in which advertisements have been placed are:
	Bid UK 2004 (a guide to Eid in UK, accompanying Eid ul-Fitr festival at end of Ramadan)
	Muslim Directory 04/05 (guide to services and businesses for Muslim Community)
	With respect to recruitment advertising no specific Muslim titles are used. The selection of titles is based on an understanding of the labour market, recruitment issues, the readership of titles and their reach within a guaranteed circulation. The reach of the title i.e. the number of people receiving it will be checked to ensure it includes all members of the community, including Muslims.
	The type of advertising placed is campaign related. It will be designed to support specific marketing campaigns and will be display advertisements.

Departmental Establishments

Archy Kirkwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many (a) full-time, (b) part-time and (c) temporary jobs his Department and its Executive agencies have had in (i) the Scottish Borders and (ii) Scotland since 1997.

Maria Eagle: Information on the numbers of staff employed in the Department and its agencies in Scotland at specified points in time is in the following table. It is not possible to identify staff in the Scottish Borders separately. Information is not available prior to April 2002.
	
		Number of staff in Scotland
		
			  (a) Full-time (b) Part-time (c) Temporary 
		
		
			 As at 30 April 2002
			 Jobcentre Plus 8,733 1,616 381 
			 The Pension Service 535 111 9 
			 Child Support Agency 1,329 178 10 
			 Appeals Service 111 10 0 
			 Rest of the Department 749 107 18 
			 Total 11,457 2,022 418 
			 
			 As at 31 March 2003   
			 Jobcentre Plus 7,779 1,644 150 
			 The Pension Service 1,617 224 88 
			 Child Support Agency 1,436 234 10 
			 Appeals Service 108 6 4 
			 Rest of the Department 717 110 35 
			 Total 11,657 2,218 287 
			 
			 As at 31 March 2004   
			 Jobcentre Plus 7,458 1,730 376 
			 The Pension Service 1,802 266 60 
			 Child Support Agency 1,294 273 24 
			 Appeals Service 101 8 4 
			 Rest of the Department 670 114 40 
			 Total 11,325 2,391 504 
		
	
	Note:
	Figures are full-time equivalents and are consistent with Cabinet Office definitions.

Departmental Estate

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his estimate is of the (a) annual cost and (b) total value of the empty properties owned by (i) his Department, (ii) agencies and (iii) other public bodies for which he has had responsibility in each of the last two years.

Maria Eagle: The only buildings owned by DWP during past two years were those relating to the former Employment Service and those owned by the Health & Safety Executive.
	The majority of the DWP estate has been transferred via the PRIME contract to Land Securities Trillium. The former DSS buildings were transferred in April 1998 and the PRIME contract was expanded in December 2003 to include former Employment Service buildings. Vacant space is surrendered to Land Securities Trillium and the Department only pays for the space it occupies.
	34 surplus properties with a base value of £5.4 million were transferred to Land Securities Trillium in December 2003 in accordance with the expanded PRIME contract. Land Securities Trillium assumed responsibility for all associated costs thereafter. The Health & Safety Executive has not had any empty properties.
	Further information relating to empty properties in 2002–03 is not available centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Events

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list the (a) conferences, (b) seminars, (c) workshops, (d) exhibitions and (e) press conferences which have been sponsored by his Department and which took place on non-departmental premises in each of the last two years giving the (i) title, (ii) purpose, (iii) date and (iv) cost of each.

Maria Eagle: The information requested is not available centrally in the format requested and could be collected only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Costs

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the cost of (a) new builds, (b) demolition rebuilds and (c) private finance initiative projects in his Department in each of the last two years.

Maria Eagle: Over the past two years the estimated total amount spent on new builds or demolition rebuilds is £21.7 million. These costs have been incurred as part of the Department's modernisation programme and are being managed under the terms of the PRIME PFI contract.
	Because of the way we monitor the cost of acquisitions the spend by year is not readily available for these new builds.
	In addition, the Health and Safety Executive has incurred a cost of £1.3 million for land purchase in connection with a PFI scheme in Bootle. They also entered into a 30-year PFI deal in April 2002 which involves the construction of a new laboratory at a capital cost of £56.5 million.

Departmental Files

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether it is the policy of the Department to retain for the benefit of future (a) historians and (b) applicants under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 the same (i) complete categories of files, (ii) numbers of files and (iii) representative examples of files from categories of files destroyed, as had been preserved prior to the passage of that Act.

Chris Pond: In accordance with the Public Records Act 1958 S.3, the selection of records of enduring historical value for permanent preservation at The National Archives (TNA) will continue to take place in the Department for Work and Pensions under the guidance and supervision of TNA staff. The Department will also comply with the Code of Practice on Records Management, issued by the Lord Chancellor under S.46 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, which underlines the importance of having clear selection policies and disposal schedules in place.

Departmental Files

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many departmental files have been destroyed in each of the past five years;
	(2)  how many departmental files have been destroyed in each of the past five years.

Maria Eagle: The information is in the table.
	
		Number of registered files destroyed by the Department for Work and Pensions
		
			  Files destroyed 
		
		
			 1999–2000 15,524 
			 2000–01 21,519 
			 2001–02 23,379 
			 2002–03 28,549 
			 2003–04 36,885 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. These figures only refer to registered files i.e. records containing policy and other corporately created documents. Destruction figures for customer/benefit files, personnel files and other administrative records created by the DWP are not held centrally.
	2. During this period, the file holding and number of files considered for destruction increased because the number of files created during the preceding five to 10 years also rose.
	3. The Department for Work and Pensions was formed in June 2001 from the former Department of Social Security and part of the Department for Education and Employment including the Employment Service. Since that date, the number of files held by the Department expanded and the numbers of files created and eligible to be considered for destruction similarly increased.
	4. The figures for years 1999–2000 and 2000–01 only refer to files destroyed by the then Department of Social Security.

Disability Benefits

Anthony D Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many applications for (a) attendance allowance and (b) disability living allowance, under the special rules requiring the submission of a DS1500 form, have been received in each of the last three years; and how many of these have been rejected.

Maria Eagle: The available information is in the table. Information is not collected on the number of claims rejected under the special rules provisions.
	
		AA/DLA Special Rules: claims received and claims cleared for the financial years 2001–02, 2002–03 and 2003–04
		
			  AA special rules claims received DLA special rules claims received 
		
		
			 2001/02 42,265 22,995 
			 2002/03 42,395 23,216 
			 2003/04 40,469 21,880 
		
	
	Note:
	Claims involved the submission of a DS1500 form or a request that the claim should be considered under the special rules.
	Source:
	DWP MIS computer system, 100 per cent. count

Disability Discrimination Bill

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the effect of the proposed Disability Discrimination Bill on political parties; and if he will place in the Library the assessment of the regulatory impact on political parties.

Maria Eagle: Political parties are already covered by the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 in their capacity as employers or providers of goods, facilities or services to the public or a section of the public. However, they are not currently covered in relation to the provision of goods, facilities or services to their members where members do not constitute the public or a section of the public (in other words, where membership is determined by a genuine process of selection on the basis of personal criteria). The Disability Discrimination Bill remedies this by extending coverage of the 1995 Act to associations of 25 or more members which apply such membership selection procedures. A copy of the Regulatory Impact Assessment which accompanies the Bill is available in the Library.
	On 16 December the Government published a consultation document, Cm 6042 "Disability Discrimination Bill Consultation on private clubs, premises, the definition of disability and the questions procedure", which among other matters seeks views on how, if at all, the duty to make reasonable adjustments should be modified in relation to political associations which may be covered by the provisions of the Bill. Views are sought by 18 March 2005. A copy of the consultation document is available in the Library.

Disability Living Allowance

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how long on average people waited for (a) an appeal and (b) an appeal result for disability living allowance in the last period for which figures are available.

Maria Eagle: This is a matter for Christina Townsend, Chief Executive of the Appeals Service. She will write to the hon. Member.
	Letter from Norman Egan to Mr. David Drew dated 20 December 2004
	The Secretary of State has asked Christina Townsend to respond to your question regarding on average the length of time people waited for (a) an appeal and (b) an appeal result for disability living allowance in the last period for which figures are available. Christina is away from the office at the moment and I have been asked to reply.
	The information in table 1 details the number of disability living allowance claimants as at 31 May 2004. Column 1 in table 2 shows the average length of time taken for an appeal from lodgement with Disability and Carers Service to cleared at hearing by the Appeals Service. Column 2 shows the average length of time taken for an appeal from receipt at the Appeals Service to the date of the first hearing.
	
		Table 1: All Disability Living Allowance claimants as at31 May 2004
		
			  Claimants in Thousands 
		
		
			 All Disability Living Allowance 2,606.7 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Cases where payment of benefit has been suspended are excluded.
	2. Figures taken from a 5 per cent. sample at 31 May 2004.
	3. From November 2002, the methodology for producing these figures was changed to allow statistics to be published much sooner. This has resulted in a small increase in the reported caseload. This is because some cases which have actually terminated but have not yet been updated on the computer system are now included.
	
		Table 2: Disability Living Allowance Appeals, average times (weeks) for an appeal between lodged to clearance and received to date of first hearing for July 2003 to June 2004.
		
			  Lodged with Disability and Carers Service to Cleared at Received at the Appeals Service to Cleared at Hearing 
		
		
			 Agency 20.33 11.28 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. All figures are subject to change as more up to date data becomes available.
	2. Figures for the latest months may rise significantly as information feeds through to the Appeals Service.
	3. Figures are rounded to two decimal places
	Source:
	IAD Information Centre, 100 per cent. sample
	The figure quoted in table 2 column 2 of 11.28 weeks is for the period July 2003 to June 2004. During the period July 2004 to October 2004 this waiting period has been reduced to 1068 weeks.
	I hope this reply is helpful.

Document Shredding

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how much his Department has spent on acquiring shredding equipment for office use in each year since 1997 to date;
	(2)  how many staff hours have been spent shredding documents in each month since January.

Maria Eagle: holding answer 6 December 2004
	Disposal of departmental records is undertaken as part of normal business, either internally or by approved contractors. Information on the amounts spent on shredding equipment by the Department is not available in the form requested and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Document Shredding

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what factors underlie the increase in the rate of files shredded since January 2003; and if he will make a statement.

Maria Eagle: holding answer 6 December 2004
	The Department for Work and Pensions continues to implement well established policies and procedures for the review and disposal of files in accordance with its administrative needs and the Public Records Act. This process is carried out under the guidance and supervision of The National Archives.
	As file review in respect of registered records is undertaken on a retrospective basis, generally five to 10 years after the closure of files, the increase in the number of policy records destroyed during 2003–04 (almost 37 thousand files compared to 28.5 thousand in 2002–03) reflects the increase in number of official records created during the period in which the files were created. In DWP, as in any other large Government Department, as business changes and the organisation expands and contracts the number of policy records created will also rise and fall.

Document Shredding

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list the criteria used to decide which documents and files should be shredded; and what mechanism exists to ensure that documents and files are not destroyed for other reasons.

Maria Eagle: holding answer 6 December 2004
	The Department for Work and Pensions keeps records for as long as they are needed for administrative and business purposes. Records of enduring historical value are selected for permanent preservation under the guidance and supervision of the National Archives on the basis of guidelines which are published on the National Archives website at: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records managernent/advice/

Employment

David Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the back to work help for the over 50s in Scotland.

Jane Kennedy: Since 1997 our policies have helped increase the employment rate for people aged 50 to state pension age in Scotland from over 59 per cent. to over 68 per cent., with 118,000 more people aged 50 and above in work. This increase has been faster than the increase in the overall employment rate.
	People aged 50 and over who are looking for work have access to a wide range of back to work help available through Jobcentre Plus. For example Training for Work is available from day one of unemployment in recognition of the lack of skills of many in this customer group. Jobcentre Plus programmes and services have recently been extended on a voluntary basis to people in receipt of pension credit.
	Over 15,000 people in Scotland have been helped into work through New Deal 50 plus, the main programme of help for this group.
	Evaluation has shown that four out of five people were still in work two years after starting work using New Deal 50 plus. Further (early) evaluation evidence on Employment Credits indicated that over 40 per cent. of recipients would not have taken their job without the additional financial help of the Credit.

Employment

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what action he is taking to extend awareness of employment opportunities in the UK to EU nationals who are (a) resident in the UK and (b) resident elsewhere.

Jane Kennedy: Employment Services throughout the European Economic Area (EEA) are connected through a network known as European Employment Services (EURES) that exists to promote sharing of vacancies and information on working and living conditions in the respective member states.
	Jobcentre Plus is an active member of EURES making available some 400,000 vacancies through its own website and that of EURES. Vacancies available to EU nationals in the UK are displayed on the Jobcentre Plus website, www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk, where jobs from other member states are integrated on the Jobcentre Plus internet job bank.
	Vacancies for EU nationals resident elsewhere, are advertised on the EURES website, www.erues-jobs.com. The EURES website currently has a database of some 73,000 jobs available to all EEA citizens. That number will progressively increase as more of the new member states that joined the EU on 1 May link up to the EURES database. From next year the information technology supporting EURES will change to allow all member states' vacancies to be visible to all EEA jobseekers through a common platform.
	For those jobseekers in the UK who do not have access to the internet, Jobcentre Plus offices provide access through Jobpoints, self service kiosks that display all the vacancies shown on the internet job bank. Similar facilities are available in employment offices in many of the other member states.

Engagements

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list his official engagements over the last six months; who was present at each meeting; what the (a) date and (b) location was of each meeting; what issues were discussed; and what plans he has to establish a public register of such information.

Maria Eagle: Ministers meet many individuals and organisations and attend many functions relating to Government business, and as part of the process of policy development. To provide the detailed information requested would incur disproportionate cost. The daily on the record briefing by the Prime Minister's Official Spokesman regularly provides details of Minister's public engagements.

Financial Assistance Scheme

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate of average payout underpinned the £400 million total for the financial assistance scheme.

Malcolm Wicks: None. The Government believe, taking account of available information on numbers involved, that £400 million should provide substantial help for those most seriously affected by failure of their pension schemes. But the size of average payments will depend on a number of factors, including the assistance levels for those facing the most urgent difficulties on which I refer the hon. Member to the Written Statement I gave on 2 December 2004, Official Report, columns 64–66WS and the precise numbers and circumstances of eligible individuals.

Gender Pay Gap

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the gender pay gap among staff in his Department.

Maria Eagle: The Department for Work and Pensions are committed to reviewing their pay policies to ensure that they are compliant with the current equal pay legislation and do not either directly or indirectly discriminate against any group of employees. Equal Pay Audits are carried out regularly to review existing policies and to inform the development of the departmental reward strategy. The most recent audit, which commenced earlier in 2004, is nearing final approval. On completion, a summary of the final report will be placed in the House of Commons Library. This report will then by used to develop an up to date equal pay action plan.
	The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) suggests that, as a general guide, any gender differences of 5 per cent. or more, or patterns of differences of 3 per cent. or more will require exploration and explanation. Early indications are that that there has been progress in closing the gap between male and female average salaries within DWP; in May 2002 (when the last equal pay audit was finalised) the overall gap was 5.7 per cent. whereas in December 2003 it had reduced to 4.8 per cent. This figure is calculated using the salaries of all staff within DWP excluding the Senior Civil Service whose remuneration is handled by Cabinet Office. The differences between male and female mean salaries change by grade. In our administrative grades, which are staffed by a greater proportion of female staff, the mean salary is higher for women than men in these grades. In our executive grades, male mean salaries are higher.
	There are a number of possible reasons for the gender mix at the administrative and executive grades, for example, historical progression rates for each gender. We have recently begun to address these by consciously shortening pay scales and the Department is currently considering the recommendations in the latest draft report to identify any further action required.

Gyms

George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many gyms are available to the staff in the Department; and what the cost of providing them was in the last year for which figures are available.

Maria Eagle: There are currently 17 workplace gyms around the country that are available to staff working for the Department for Work and Pensions. DWP does not contribute to the running costs of these facilities.

Housing Benefit

Oona King: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many applications for housing benefit extended payments were made in each year since 1997–98; and how many of those applications were successful.

Chris Pond: The available information is in the table.
	
		Housing benefit extended payments, Great Britain 1997 to 2004
		
			  All housing benefit extended payments applications Successful housing benefit extended payments applications 
		
		
			 1997–98 170,000 140,000 
			 1998–99 150,000 130,000 
			 1999–2000 160,000 130,000 
			 2000–01 160,000 140,000 
			 2001–02 130,000 120,000 
			 2002–03 n/a n/a 
			 2003–04 n/a n/a 
		
	
	n/a = Not available. This is due to data quality issues around information supplied by local authorities.
	Notes:
	1. The figures have been rounded to two significant figures.
	2. Figures for any non-responding authorities have been estimated.
	3. Claims received in one quarter could be determined in the following quarter; therefore the number of applications and the number of successful applications within one quarter do not necessarily refer to the same claims.
	4. The figures are the sum of data collected in all four quarters from April to March each year.
	Source:
	Housing Benefit Management Information System Quarterly Administration Returns April 1997 to March 2004.

Human Rights Act

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many cases have been brought against his Department under the Human Rights Act 1998; and what the cost has been in (a) legal fees to defend cases and (b) compensation payments.

Jane Kennedy: In line with policy and practice in other Government Departments, the Department for Work and Pensions does not record separately those cases which are brought against the Department involving the Human Rights Act 1998. Human Rights are integrated into the general law and are rarely the sole basis of challenge. This makes them very difficult to count separately.
	The information required could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Incapacity Benefit

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many incapacity benefit claimants failed to attend their Personal Capability Assessment in each of the last 12 months; and for how many of those who attended incapacity benefit was (a) increased, (b) decreased and (c) unaltered after their assessment.

Maria Eagle: The Personal Capability Assessment is used to determine whether or not a claimant is sufficiently incapacitated to be entitled to incapacity benefit. A positive outcome does not directly affect the rate of incapacity benefit in payment; the rate depends on a number of other factors such as the length of the spell of incapacity, number of dependants, and other benefits in payment.

Incapacity Benefit

David Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in (a) Scotland and (b) Midlothian received incapacity benefit in the period (i) 1990 to 1997 and (ii) 1997 to 2004.

Maria Eagle: Constituency level data iarenot available prior to 1997. The available information is in the table.
	
		Incapacity benefit and severe disablement allowance claimants in Scotland and the parliamentary constituency of Midlothian
		
			   Period ending   Scotland Midlothian parliamentary constituency 
		
		
			 31 March 1990 240,500 — 
			 30 March 1991 265,600 — 
			 04 April 1992 297,100 — 
			 03 April 1993 321,200 — 
			 02 April 1994 338,600 — 
			 12 April 1995 359,300 — 
			 31 May 1996 349,300 — 
			 31 May 1997 350,100 3,200 
			 31 May 1998 334,000 3,300 
			 31 May 1999 326,500 3,100 
			 31 May 2000 325,000 3,200 
			 31 May 2001 329,400 3,200 
			 31 May 2002 327,700 3,400 
			 31 May 2003 324,400 3,300 
			 31 May 2004 322,700 3,200 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Figures have been rounded to the nearest hundred
	2. Incapacity benefit replaced sickness/invalidity benefit in April 1995.
	Source:
	IAD Information Centre, 1 per cent. samples up to 12 April 1995 and 5 per cent. samples thereafter.

Incapacity Benefit

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many recipients of incapacity benefit there were in each ward in Wrexham in (a) 1997 and (b) 2004.

Maria Eagle: Incapacity Benefit ward-level data is not available prior to 1998. The 2004 data will not be available until early next year.

Incapacity Benefit

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people have had their incapacity benefit stopped during the last 13 months.

Maria Eagle: The only available data relate to claimants whose incapacity benefits are stopped in relation to a medical examination; this includes claimants who fail to complete the process as well as those who are found fit. The available information is in the table.
	
		The number of incapacity benefit and severe disablement allowance claims disallowed in relation to medical examination
		
			 Month ending Number 
		
		
			 2003  
			 30 November 17,205 
			 31 December 14,810 
			 2004  
			 31 January 20,630 
			 29 February 16,575 
			 31 March 21,395 
			 30 April 15,225 
			 31 May 17,650 
			 30 June 17,850 
			 31 July 16,565 
			 31 August 16,700 
			 30 September 17,920 
			 31 October 17,865 
			 30 November 19,610 
			 Total for period November 2003 to November 2004 230,005 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Figures have been rounded to the nearest five. Totals may not sum due to rounding.
	2. Medical examinations figures include both the "Own Occupation Test" and the "Personal Capability Assessment".
	3. Claimants who either fail to attend a medical examination or return the medical questionnaire, and therefore lose their entitlement to incapacity benefit or severe disablement allowance, may have their claim re-instated at a later date. The number of re-instated cases is not available.
	4. Figures include credits only cases.
	Source:
	IAD Information Centre, 100 per cent. counts.

Income Support

Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in the constituency of the Rhondda claim income support.

Chris Pond: In August 2004 there were 4,900 income support recipients in the Rhondda parliamentary constituency.
	Notes:
	1. Figure is rounded to the nearest hundred and quoted in thousands. 2. Number is based on a 5 per cent. sample and therefore subject to a degree of sampling variation.
	Source:
	IAD Information Centre, 5 per cent. sample.

Invoice Payments

Michael Fabricant: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average length of time was between the date of invoices issued to his Department from a supplier and payment by the Department of the invoice in the last 12 months for which figures are available; and what percentage of those invoices were paid within 30 days of the date of issue of the invoice; what percentage of those invoices remained unpaid after 90 days; and if he will make a statement on the Department's policy on the payment of invoices issued to the Department.

Jane Kennedy: It is DWP policy to pay an invoice within 30 days of receipt of it unless alternative payment terms are specified in the contract.
	The average length of time between the date of invoices received by the Department from a supplier to payment by the Department of the invoice in the last 12 months is 18 days.
	For the period from November 2003 to October 2004, 96 per cent. of all invoices were paid within 30 days of receipt.
	Less than 1 per cent. of invoices remained unpaid after 90 days of receipt.

Jobcentre Plus

George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people are employed by Jobcentre Plus; what the running cost of the body was in the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement on the future of the body.

Jane Kennedy: The average number of full-time equivalent persons employed by Jobcentre Plus in 2003–04 was 79,644. This figure includes senior management, staff on secondment or loan to the Agency, staff employed on fixed term and temporary contracts, but excludes staff on secondment to other organisations.
	The latest information available on staff numbers up to the end of October 2004 indicates that the number of full-time equivalent persons employed by the Agency has fallen to 76,664, a reduction in staff numbers of approximately 3,000 since April 2004.
	The net administration cost for Jobcentre Plus for the year ended 31 March 2004 was £3,041,511,000 as published in the Jobcentre Plus Annual Report and Accounts 2003–04 (HC909).
	We plan to complete the rollout of Jobcentre Plus1 new integrated services across the country in 2006. This service brings together help for customers of working age looking for work or wishing to claim benefits, while out of work. As we continue to roll out this new service, future plans for Jobcentre Plus include: seeking to continue to improve the service it provides through more personalised support for the most disadvantaged people in our communities, increasing access to its services through the use of new technology (for its individual customers and employers) and improving the efficiency of the organisation.

Jobcentre Plus

Frank Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many organisations took part in the consultation exercise on the proposed Jobcentre Plus roll-out programme in Lanarkshire this year; and how many supported the proposal;
	(2)  if he will publish the submissions received in the Lanarkshire Jobcentre Plus roll-out consultation;
	(3)  how many clients and client groups of the proposed Lanarkshire Jobcentre Plus roll-out programme were asked to submit their views on the roll-out proposals.

Jane Kennedy: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Jobcentre Plus, David Anderson. He will write to the hon. Member.
	Letter from David Anderson to Mr. Frank Roy, dated 20 December 2004
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your questions concerning the proposed Jobcentre Plus rollout programme in Lanarkshire. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	It may be helpful if I explain that we will be able to provide you with a summary of the comments received from stakeholders once final decisions on our rollout plans have been announced. Comments we have received in confidence will not be include. I have asked the District Manager for Lanarkshire and East Dunbartonshire, to provide you with this information in due course. We will be unable to put the actual submissions into the public domain because we have not sought prior permission from those responding.
	Turning to the question of consultation, the following list provides details of the clients, and client groups that were asked to submit their views. This is an addition to all local MPs, MSPs and Councillors who were consulted about our plans. Four organisations have made representations and, of these, two have already expressed a willingness to support the flexible delivery proposals in their area.
	Land Securities Trillium
	Strathclyde Police—Motherwell and Hamilton
	Principals of Colleges in Motherwell, Hamilton, Cumbernauld, East Kilbride, Coatbridge
	Scottish Enterprise Lanarkshire
	Debt Management
	Counter Fraud Investigation Service in Hamilton, Motherwell
	Pension Service
	Scottish Executive
	Glasgow Chamber of Commerce
	Citizens Advice Bureaux in East Kilbride, Airdrie, Bellshill, Coatbridge, Hamilton, Motherwell, Cambuslang, Rutherglen
	Inland Revenue in Coatbridge, East Kilbride, Hamilton, Motherwell
	Lanarkshire Acute NHS Trust
	Lanarkshire Primary Care NHS Trust
	Careers Scotland
	APEX Scotland
	SLC Social Work
	State Hospital, Carstairs
	HM Prisons, Barlinnie
	Small Business Gateway
	East Dunbartonshire Council
	North Lanarkshire Council
	South Lanarkshire Council
	Federation of Small Businesses
	Greater Glasgow and Clyde Valley Tourist Board
	Lanarkshire Chambers Group
	Procurator Fiscal
	I hope this is helpful.

Learning Allowance

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions where he plans to pilot the learning allowance; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: In the pre Budget report we announced our intention to pilot the Learning Allowance from April 2006. The pilot areas will be chosen in due course, taking account of a number of factors, in particular the need to evaluate as rigorously as possible the impact of this new policy in the pilot areas. We will make a further statement when they have been chosen.

New Deal

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many individuals have benefited from the (a) New Deal for Young People, (b) New Deal 25 plus, (c) New Deal 50 plus, (d) New Deal for Disabled People, (e) New Deal for lone parents, (f) New Deal for partners, (g) New Deal: self-employment and (h) New Deal for musicians in (i) Orkney, (ii) Shetland and (iii) the Highlands and Islands.

Jane Kennedy: Information is not available at Local Authority level for New Deal for Disabled People, New Deal for Partners and New Deal for Musicians. Information on people starting and achieving jobs through the self-employment option of New Deal for Young People and New Deal 25 plus cannot be provided as the small numbers involved could result in the identification of individuals.
	The available information is in the table.
	
		New Deal— individual starts
		
			 Location Orkney Islands Shetland Islands Highlands 
		
		
			 New Deal for Young People 200 130 2,820 
			 New Deal 25 plus 220 120 2,840 
			 New Deal 50 plus 50 40 640 
			 New Deal for Lone Parents 120 60 2,180 
			 New Deal—individuals into jobs 
			 New Deal for Young People 140 90 1,940 
			 New Deal 25 plus 120 50 1,400 
			 New Deal 50 plus 50 40 640 
			 New Deal for Lone Parents 50 40 1,260 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. New Deal information is available for the Highlands Local Authority but not 'Highlands and Islands'.
	2. All information provided is for Local Authority areas.
	3. Data is to June 2004, except New Deal 50 plus which is to March 2003 and relates to New Deal 50 plus Employment Credit starts.
	4. Information is not available for New Deal 50 plus at Local Authority level after March 2003.
	5. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10.
	Source:
	DWP Information and Analysis Directorate

New Deal

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many people in (a) Leeds and (b) Leeds, West have found work through the New Deal for Disabled People in each year since its commencement;
	(2)  which groups are contracted to provide the New Deal for disabled people in Leeds; what the performance of each in enabling people to find work since the start of the programme has been; what targets they have to meet; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: New Deal for Disabled People (NDDP) contractors are achieving considerable success in helping people on incapacity benefit into work and, collectively, they have helped 190 people into work in the Leeds Jobcentre Plus District since the national roll-out of the programme in July 2001.
	The NDDPJob Brokers operating in the Leeds Jobcentre Plus District are: Remploy; Shaw Trust; Action for Employment; Mencap Pathway; and Yes 2 Work. Although they have overall contract requirements that they are expected to meet, these are not broken down by District.
	As information is not available broken down by Leeds and Leeds West, information on people helped into work through the New Deal for Disabled People programme in the Jobcentre Plus Leeds District, including people helped through Jobcentre Plus, is in the table.
	
		New Deal for Disabled People in Leeds Jobcentre Plus District
		
			  
		
		
			 July 2001—September 2001 0 
			 October 2001—September 2002 40 
			 October 2002—September 2003 70 
			 October 2003—September 2004 120 
			 Total 240 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Data are from July 2001 from national rollout of the programme.
	2. All figures are rounded to the nearest 10 and total may not sum due to rounding.
	3. Information in the table is for individuals helped into work.
	4. Individual Job Broker performance figures are not published as these are commercial in confidence.
	Source:
	DWP Information and Analysis Directorate

New Deal

John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of those leaving the new deal for long-term unemployed aged (a) 25 to 29, (b) 30 to 49 and (c) 50+ years found (i) employment and (ii) sustained jobs in each year since 2001; and what proportion of those leaving the new deal for the long-term unemployed in each year since 2001 did so for (1) sustained jobs and (2) jobs lasting fewer than 13 weeks, broken down by region.

Jane Kennedy: People entering employment through New Deal 25 plus are only classified as leaving the programme to a job when they have entered sustained employment. For the purposes of New Deal 25 plus, a job is regarded as sustained if no new claim is made for Job Seeker's Allowance within 13 weeks of leaving New Deal.
	Information on leavers from the programme to sustained employment is in the tables.
	
		New Deal 25 plus—proportion of leavers by age group to unsubsidised sustained employment since 2001 -- Percentage
		
			 Year 2001 2002 2003 2004 
		
		
			 Total 19 24 24 27 
			 of which: aged 25–29 25 32 31 33 
			 aged 30–49 21 27 27 29 
			 aged 50+ 13 14 14 17 
		
	
	
		New Deal 25 plus—proportion of leavers by region and country to unsubsidised sustained employment since 2001 -- Percentage
		
			 Year 2001 2002 2003 2004 
		
		
			 Total 19 24 24 27 
			 of which from: 
			 Scotland 18 23 23 29 
			 North East 16 26 23 28 
			 North West 18 25 25 26 
			 Yorkshire and Humber 18 24 23 27 
			 Wales 18 24 26 30 
			 West Midlands 19 24 23 27 
			 East Midlands 19 24 24 30 
			 East of England 22 27 26 26 
			 South East 23 26 26 27 
			 London 18 22 22 22 
			 South West 23 29 31 35 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Data are to June 2004.
	2. Figures for each year refer to the period January to December, except 2004,
	which refers to January to June.
	3. Information refers to the percentage of leavers to unsubsidised sustained employment as a proportion of all leavers in the stated categories.
	4. The proportions in the table do not take account of all jobs gained through New Deal 25 plus because people can gain a job through New Deal 25 plus but not leave the programme to a job.
	5. Percentages are calculated from unrounded figures.
	Source:
	DWP Information and Analysis Directorate

North Sea Fishing

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what regulations determine minimum fishing distance between fishing vessels and North Sea rigs.

Jane Kennedy: Sections 21–24 of the Petroleum Act 1987 prohibit vessels from entering safety zones around offshore oil and gas installations, which extend to 500 metres of any part of the installation. This prohibition includes fishing vessels while fishing.

Pension Credit (Scotland)

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate has been made of the total number of people eligible to claim pension credit in Scotland.

Malcolm Wicks: Estimates of pension credit eligibility, based on 2002–03 Family Resources Survey data projected forward to 2004–05, are currently being revised consistent with pre-Budget report assumptions. The revised estimates will be available in January 2005.

Pension/Benefit Payments

Roger Gale: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what arrangements his Department has put in place to ensure cash payments to pensioners are made in the event of information technology failure.

Chris Pond: The Department has comprehensive contingency arrangements in place to deal with such an event. These arrangements would ensure that any affected payments are regenerated and pensioners would be paid in their normal way—either directly into a named account or by cheque. Where this is not possible, for example the first payment of an entitlement, payment will be by cheque. Our systems have been designed to minimise the need for cash payments to be made to pensioners.

Pension/Benefit Payments

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will ensure that pension payments due on Christmas Eve are paid earlier.

Chris Pond: Christmas Eve is a Friday. Banks and Post Offices will be open, so pensioners will be able to access their pension in the normal way. Only a very small number of pensioners receive their pension on a Friday.

Pensions

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in respect of how many pensions contracted-out rebates have been paid in each year since 1997; and what the average payment was.

Malcolm Wicks: The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the following table:
	
		Million
		
			  Average weekly numbers contracted out of SERPS/S2P Average annual payment to people contracted out of SERPS/S2P (£) 
		
		
			 1997–98 10.9 680 
			 1998–99 11.1 700 
			 1999–2000 10.9 750 
			 2000–01 11.1 790 
			 2001–02 11.1 810 
			 2002–03 11.1 950 
			 2003–04 10.8 950 
			 2004–05 10.7 990 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. The estimates of the numbers contracted out and the average annual payment are for Great Britain only and are consistent with the rebate estimates for the 2004 Pre-Budget Report.
	2. The numbers contracted out are based on those shown in the Departmental publication "Second-Tier Pension Provision" and other information on contracting-out trends that has emerged in recent months.
	3. The large increase in the average annual payment from 2002–03 is due to the increase in the level of the rebate which applied from the beginning of that tax-year.
	Source:
	Government Actuary's Department (GAD)

Sickness Absence

George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many days sick leave were taken by civil servants in the Department in each year since 1997; and what the sickness absence rate was in each year.

Maria Eagle: All the information requested is not available. Information for the operational years 1997–98 and 1998–99 is not available. The remaining information requested is shown as follows:
	
		Sickness absence information for DWP and the former DSS
		
			 Department Working days lost Average number of working days lost Sickness rate 
		
		
			 DSS
			 1999–2000 1,057,549.2 12.0 4.8 
			 2000–01 1,085,307.5 12.3 4.9 
			 2001–02 1,039,208.8 11.3 4.5 
			 
			 DWP
			 2002–03 1,674,435.3 12.3 4.9 
			 2003–04 1,691,150.3 12.6 5.0 
		
	
	1. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) was created in June 2001. Due to the migration of businesses into and out of the newly forming Department, and differences in calculation methods, figures for the Department as a whole are only available from April 2002.
	2. The information in the table covers the years April 1999 to March 2002 relating to the former Department of Social Security (DSS), the main predecessor Department in place prior to the formation of DWP, and for DWP for April 2002 to March 2004.
	3. Figures have been provided for DSS and DWP for each full operational year since 1999. Sickness absence information for the current year, April 2004 to March 2005, will be available in spring 2005.
	4. As at 30 September 2004, the Department had lost 790,668.1 days to sickness absence which equated to a sickness rate of 4.8 per cent. or 12.1 average number of working days lost.

Special Advisers

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether departmental special advisers have made appearances before parliamentary select committees in their official capacity since May 1997.

Maria Eagle: Departmental special advisers have not made any appearances before parliamentary select committees in their official capacity since May 1997.

Timber

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list the refurbishment projects in his Department that (a) are in progress and (b) will start in the next six months; what action is being taken to ensure that these will procure timber from legal and sustainable sources; and whether guidance will be issued to contractors on each of these projects to ensure that the timber used on site during refurbishment also comes from legal and sustainable sources.

Maria Eagle: This Department occupies approximately 1,800 buildings. The information requested about the number of refurbishment projects in progress and due to start in the next six months is not available centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	However, the majority of refurbishment projects are undertaken for the Department by our Estates Partners, Land Securities Trillium. They have been instructed that all timber used across the Department must be verified as being from legal and sustainable sources. They include this within all specifications for refurbishment work. On an annual basis a supply chain report is presented to the Department, detailing the evidence presented for all timber used. This report, and the evidence that it contains, is then independently audited to ensure that the timber does meet the required standards. Any areas of weakness are identified and the Department works closely with Land Securities Trillium to ensure that performance is improved.

Winter Fuel Payment

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners are in receipt of winter fuel payment in Coventry.

Malcolm Wicks: For winter 2003–04 there were 55,970 pensioners in Coventry who received the winter fuel payment. We would expect the number to be similar for winter 2004–05.
	Notes
	1. Numbers are rounded to the nearest 5. 2. Local authorities and parliamentary constituencies are assigned by matching postcodes against the relevant ONS postcode directory.
	Source
	IAD Information Centre, 100 per cent. samples.

Winter Fuel Payment

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number of people in Scotland eligible to claim (a) the winter fuel payment of £200 and (b) the additional payment of £100; and how many claim forms have been received this winter.

Malcolm Wicks: We estimate around 60,000 people in Scotland will turn 60 and become newly entitled to receive a winter fuel payment for 2004–05. In 2003–04 around 35,000 people in Scotland aged 60 received an automatic payment. We would expect the number to be similar in 2004–05. Those people who are not in receipt of certain benefits and therefore do not receive an automatic payment, will need to claim. So far this winter we have received 38,872 claim forms from people in Scotland. Some of these may be from people who would have been paid a winter fuel payment automatically.
	Almost all people in Scotland who are eligible for the additional £100 payment for those aged 70 or over will be paid automatically. So far this winter three claims for the additional £100 payment have been received and, of these, two are entitled to an automatic payment.

Women Pensioners

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his oral answer of 13 December 2004, Official Report, column 1382, on women pensioners, how many (a) older elderly people and (b) women were in receipt of pension credit in Scotland on the latest date for which figures are available.

Malcolm Wicks: At 31 October there were 89,100 households in Scotland in receipt of pension credit in which the claimant was aged 80 or over. These households comprise 97,215 individuals, some of whom will be aged under 80. There will also be a number of households in which a claimant aged under 80 has a partner aged 80 or over. It is not possible to give a figure for these. At the same date, 218,370 women in Scotland were in receipt of pension credit, either as individuals or as part of a couple.
	Notes:
	1. Figures are rounded to the nearest five. 2. Figures are available for 31 October 2004 as the final output of processes that were put in place to deliver special monthly reporting during the first year of the roll-out of pension credit. As Parliament was told in the statement accompanying the last such report, data will in future be available on a quarterly basis, in line with standard departmental practice. The next report, covering data as at 31 December 2004, should be laid in the House in January 2005. 3. The 97,215 individual recipients will include a number of partners under age 80 and may include a small number of partners under age 60. 4. The 218,370 women in receipt of pension credit may include a small number of partners under age 60.

Work-based Learning

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the role of his Department in working with other agencies to stimulate work-based learning.

Jane Kennedy: The Department for Work and Pensions1 role in working with other agencies to stimulate work-based learning is to ensure that Jobcentre Plus advisers understand the needs of local employers. They can then ensure that jobless customers can undertake the training required to fill the vacancies that arise and that, wherever possible, these customers have the opportunity to continue training once in work, supported by the Learning and Skills Council where appropriate. Our policy is to deliver a knowledgeable and co-ordinated service for individuals and employers. The policy intention is reflected by:
	the Department's partnership working within the Skills Alliance ( key Government Departments, the Confederation of British Industry, the Trades Union Congress and the Small Business Council);
	the increased working links with the Department for Education and Skills;
	joint planning and delivery of work based learning by Jobcentre Plus and Learning and Skills Councils;
	and links with the Department for Trade and Industry and the business networks that they sponsor, at regional and local levels.
	One outcome of this partnership approach is the ongoing work by Jobcentre Plus and the Learning and Skills Council to implement the recommendations of the National Employment Panel's workforce development report.

Working Neighbourhoods Pilot

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on progress with the working neighbourhoods pilot scheme.

Jane Kennedy: The Working Neighbourhoods Pilot started on 1 April 2004 for a period of two years. It operates in 12 neighbourhoods, all with relatively high levels of worklessness. An interim evaluation report is due in summer 2005 and this will provide robust evidence on performance across the 12 Working Neighbourhoods Pilot sites.

Young Disabled People

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many disabled people up to the age of 21 years are receiving state benefits due to their disability.

Maria Eagle: The requested information is in the table:
	
		Number of young disabled people under the age of 22 receiving benefits
		
			 Benefit(38) Number 
		
		
			 Disability living allowance (DLA) aged under16(39) 276,500 
			 Disability living allowance (DLA) aged 16 to 21(39) 87,900 
			 Income support (IS) with disability premium(40) 26,300 
			 Severe disablement allowance (SDA)(40) (43)— 
			 Industrial injuries disablement benefits (IIDB)(3,4) 170 
			 Total(42) 376,600 
		
	
	(38) The benefits included are DLA, SDA, IIDB and IS with a disability premium. IIDB includes reduced earnings allowance cases. A claimant can receive more than one of these benefits.
	(39) DLA is payable to claimants of all ages, including children.
	(40) These benefits are payable to claimants aged 16 and over.
	(41) The overlap between IIDB and other benefits is negligible, and therefore the IIDB figure has been presented separately using the 100 per cent. data.
	(42) The "total" number excludes overlaps between benefits. Therefore the individual benefit totals do not sum to the overall "total".
	(43) Nil or negligible.
	Notes:
	1. 5 per cent. figures are rounded to the nearest hundred. Numbers taken from a 5 per cent. sample are subject to a degree of sampling error.
	2. 100 per cent. figures are rounded to the nearest 5.
	Sources:
	IAD Information Centre, 5 per cent. Working Age Client Group sample and 5 per cent. DLA samples.
	IAD Information Centre 100 per cent. IIDB database.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Battersea Power Station

Tony Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when Battersea Power Station was last inspected by English Heritage; and what the outcome of the inspection was.

Richard Caborn: As part of their assessment of current development proposals, English Heritage specialists have carried out regular and detailed inspections of Battersea Power Station over the past 18 months. While the overall condition of the building is poor, the most important parts of its interior have been safeguarded and there is an ongoing programme of emergency repairs.

Christmas Cards

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many hours of staff time were taken up in preparation of Christmas cards in 2004.

Richard Caborn: The staff time spent on preparation of Christmas cards has not been logged; however it is estimated that this amounted to approximately 21 hours in total. This included sourcing images, commissioning design and print, obtaining order quantities from the Department's directorates and arranging internal distribution of the printed cards.

Christmas Cards

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many departmental staff have responsibility for preparing Christmas cards.

Richard Caborn: One member of staff in the Department's Promotions and Publicity Unit has responsibility for preparing Christmas cards, as part of a range of duties.

Christmas Cards

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what percentage of official departmental Christmas cards included a contribution to charity in their cost; and which charities benefited from such a contribution.

Richard Caborn: DCMS Christmas cards included no contribution to charity in their cost.

Christmas Cards

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the cost of postage was for official departmental Christmas cards in (a) 2003 and (b) 2004.

Richard Caborn: No assessment of postage was made, but the majority of cards were sent by second class post.

Christmas Cards

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the cost was of purchasing official departmental Christmas cards in (a) 2003 and (b) 2004.

Richard Caborn: The information requested is as follows.
	(a) The cost of purchasing official departmental Christmas cards in 2003 was £3,209.
	(b) The cost of purchasing official departmental Christmas cards in 2004 was £3,235.

Christmas Cards

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many official Christmas cards were sent out by her Department in (a) 2003 and (b) 2004.

Richard Caborn: The information requested is as follows.
	(a) In 2003,4,950 official Christmas cards were sent out.
	(b) In 2004, 3,550 official Christmas cards were sent out.

Civil Service Property

George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many items of civil service property within her Department are unaccounted for, broken down by type.

Richard Caborn: All losses and thefts are reported annually to Her Majesty's Treasury. In the current year there have been no reports to date of any equipment or other property being unaccounted for.

Conferences

George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many conferences were (a) attended by officials from her Department, (b) cancelled by and (c) facilitated by her Department in each year since 1997; and what the (i) cost to the Department and (ii) location was in each case.

Richard Caborn: This information is not held centrally. To collect and analyse it would involve disproportionate costs.

County Hall

Tony Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when County Hall, London, SE1 was last inspected by English Heritage; and whether English Heritage judged at the most recent inspection that the building was being properly preserved.

Richard Caborn: English Heritage recently visited County Hall, London, SE1 on 15 December 2004. They consider the building to be in a sound, weather tight and secure condition.

Departmental Expenditure

George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much has been spent by her Department on (a) new furniture and (b) hired furniture in each year since 1997.

Richard Caborn: All furniture is purchased. Details of expenditure at this level is no longer available for the period 1997–2000.
	The cost of furniture in subsequent years is as follows:
	
		
			  £ 
		
		
			 2001 42,526.19 
			 2002 97,028.08 
			 2003 179,963.18 
			 2004 116,950.95

Departmental Expenditure

George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much her Department spent on (a) indoor bought plants, (b) indoor hired plants, (c) outdoor bought plants and (d) outdoor hired plants in each year since 1997.

Richard Caborn: Figures for the indoor plants for the years 1997 to 1999 are no longer available. The cost of hire and maintenance of indoor plants was £10,800 in 2000, £11,070 in 2001, £11,347 in 2002, £11,630 in 2003 and £11,921 in 2004. DCMS has no outdoor landscaping or plants.

Departmental Expenditure

George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the cost of refurbishments in her Department was in each year since 1997; and what the planned expenditure is for 2005–06.

Richard Caborn: I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave to the hon. Members for North-East Cambridgeshire (Mr. Moss) and for Buckingham (Mr. Bercow) on 15 July 2004, Official Report, column 1268, and 8 November 2004, Official Report, column 510 respectively. There are no plans for refurbishment in the 2005–06 financial year.

Departmental Expenditure

George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much has been spent by her Department on lighting in each year since 1997.

Richard Caborn: The utility cost of lighting is inseparable from the cost of electricity. The only lighting units purchased have been part of suspended ceiling installations or task lighting. The cost of lighting as distinct from the total suspended ceiling cost is not available. The cost of purchasing task lighting has not exceeded £200 in any year since 1997.

Electrical Equipment

George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many items of electrical equipment were used by her Department in the last year for which figures are available, broken down by (a) cost and (b) number of each type of item.

Richard Caborn: Every member of staff has the use of a personal computer, linked on a shared basis to desktop printers. Fax machines serve each sub-unit. Those aside, the information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Initiatives (Young People)

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list each programme and initiative launched by her Department to help young people since 1997; and which of those programme initiatives remain in operation.

Richard Caborn: holding answer 29 November 2004
	The following table lists programmes and initiatives launched by the Department to help young people since 1997:
	
		
			 Programme/initiative Date launched Still in operation? 
		
		
			 Education Challenge Fund (Museums and Galleries) 1999 No—ended in 2001 (time limited programme) 
			 Free Admission to DCMS sponsored museums and galleries which previously charged 1999 Yes 
			 Youth Music 1999 Yes 
			 Your Creative Future Booklet and Website (DCMS in partnership with the Design Council and Arts Council England) 2000 Yes 
			 Space For Sport And Arts 2000 Yes 
			 Artsmark 2001 Yes 
			 Step into Sport 2002 Yes 
			 Club Links 2002 Yes 
			 Get REAL 2003 Yes 
			 Creative Partnerships 2002 Yes 
			 PESSCL Strategy (DfES/DCMS) 2002 Yes 
			 WebPlayUK 2003 Yes 
			 Renaissance in the Regions (Education Strand, improving services for children and young people) 2003 Yes 
			 DCMS/DfES Strategic Commissioning-National/Regional Museums Education Partnerships 2003 Yes 
			 ArtisanCam 2004 Yes 
			 Headline History 2004 Yes 
			 Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme 2004 Yes 
			 PAYP/Splash Extra 1999–2002—Splash 2003—PAYP No—Splash Yes—PAYP 
			 English Heritage (EH) programme whereby a young person can gain free admission if accompanied by an adult EH member 2002 Yes 
			 Culture Online 2002 Yes

Disabilities

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many of the staff employed by her Department have a declared disability.

Richard Caborn: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport currently employs 12 people declaring a disability. Data on disability is collected on the basis of voluntary self-classification.

Ethnic Minorities

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the extent to which her Department's policies meet the needs of ethnic minorities.

Richard Caborn: DCMS has a Public Service Agreement (PSA) aimed at increasing the take up of cultural and sporting opportunities from priority groups (including ethnic minorities), which reflects the importance placed by this department on meeting the needs of this group. Prominent examples of work to meet the needs of ethnic minorities among the bodies we sponsor are the Museums' Association's Diversify project, which helps to persuade people from ethnic minority backgrounds to take up a career in museums and galleries, and the active encouragement of increased numbers of visitors from ethnic minorities by museums. Within the broadcasting sector we have encouraged the development of the Cultural Diversity Network, which aims to increase the entry of ethnic minority groups into the media.

International Sports Bodies

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list international sports bodies based in the UK, broken down by location.

Richard Caborn: The information requested is as follows:
	
		
			 Location Name of body 
		
		
			 London International Cricket Council 
			 — International Tennis Federation 
			 — Commonwealth Games Federation 
			 — Federation Internationale de I'Automobile Foundation 
			 — Women's International Squash Players Association 
			 Cheltenham International Badminton Federation 
			 Hastings World Squash Federation 
			 — European Squash Federation 
			 Manchester International Federation of Netball Associations 
			 Aylesbury International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Federation 
			 Bristol World Snooker 
			 — World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association 
			 Cardiff World Squash Players' Association 
			 Perth World Curling Federation 
			 Edinburgh World Bowls 
			 Fife Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews

International Sports Bodies

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list international sports bodies which have left the UK since 1997, broken down by year of departure.

Richard Caborn: The information requested is as follows:
	
		
			 Year of departure  Name of body  Details 
		
		
			 1997 International Rugby Board Relocated from London to Dublin, Ireland. 
			 2001 International Table Tennis Federation Relocated from St. Leonard's-on-Sea to Lausanne, Switzerland. 
			 2005 International Badminton Federation Have made the decision to relocate from Cheltenham to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in October 2005

IT (Disciplinary Procedures)

George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many staff in her Department have (a) received official warnings and (b) faced disciplinary procedures following breaches of IT policy in each year since 1997.

Richard Caborn: DCMS has had 11 cases of computer misuse in the last five years, all occurring in one year, 1999.
	Category: Accessing inappropriate material on the internet
	2 cases:
	one final formal written warning issued
	one resignation.
	Category: Inappropriate use of e-mail
	9 cases:
	1 instant dismissal
	5 oral warnings issued
	3 final formal written warnings issued.

Licensed Premises

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate she has made of the proposed change in fees payable by licensed premises consequent upon the provisions of the Licensing Act 2003.

Richard Caborn: On 4 November we began a consultation on the fee levels payable under the Licensing Act 2003. A copy of the consultation document is available at www.culture.gov.uk and a copy has also been placed in the House Libraries. This document shows the details of the fees currently payable under existing licensing regimes and the proposed fees under the 2003 Act. Fees payable for individual licensed premises under the 2003 Act may be higher or lower depending on their Non Domestic Rateable Value. The Government's policy is that licensing fees must be set at a level that allows full recovery of the administration, inspection and enforcement costs falling on licensing authorities.

Ministerial Meetings

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list her official engagements over the last six months; who was present at each meeting; what the (a) date and (b) location was of each meeting; what issues were discussed; and what plans she has to establish a public register of such information.

Richard Caborn: Ministers meet many individuals and organisations and attend many functions relating to Government business, and as part of the process of policy development. To provide the detailed information requested would incur disproportionate cost. The daily on the record briefing by the Prime Minister's official spokesman regularly provides details of Ministers' public engagements.

Motor Racing

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what financial assistance the Government has provided to Formula One racing in each year since 1997; and what the planned level of assistance is for each year up to 2006.

Richard Caborn: The Government have provided no financial assistance to the British Grand Prix since 1997. Nor does it plan to do so in the future.

Senior Women

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many women there are in senior positions in her Department.

Richard Caborn: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has 30 senior civil servants, of which 10 (33 per cent.) are women.

Special Advisers

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 
	(1)  if she will list the attributable interviews that her Department's special advisers gave to (a) newspapers, (b) journals, (c) books and (d) other media in their official capacity between 31 March 2003 and 31 March 2004;
	(2)  if she will list the attributable (a) articles and (b) contributions that her Department's special advisers made to (i) newspapers, (ii) journals, (iii) books and (iv) other media in their official capacity between 31 March 2003 and 31 March 2004.

Richard Caborn: All special advisers' contacts with the media are conducted in accordance with the requirements of the Code of Conduct of Special Advisers.

Special Advisers

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether departmental special advisers have made appearances before parliamentary Select Committees in their official capacity since May 1997.

Richard Caborn: No DCMS special advisers have appeared before parliamentary Select Committees in their official capacity.

Taskforces

Mark Francois: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much her Department spent on task forces and similar bodies in each year since 1997.

Richard Caborn: Expenditure on taskforces and similar bodies since 1997, for which records are readily available, is as follows (figures have been rounded to the nearest £1,000):
	
		£
		
			  Total 
		
		
			 2000–01 52,000 
			 2001–02 36,000 
			 2002–03 — 
			 2003–04 8,000 
			 2004–05 80,000 
		
	
	This expenditure is not separately identifiable in the Department's accounts.
	The are a number of smaller bodies which would have been included in the answer, except that their costs were borne by the Department's central administration budgets, and could be disaggregated only at disproportionate cost.

Telephone Useage

Paul Tyler: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many non-geographic 0870 telephone numbers are in use by her Department; and what services can be accessed by calling each of them.

Richard Caborn: The Department does not operate any non-geographic 0870 numbers.

Telephone Useage

Paul Tyler: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much revenue her Department has received from the use of non-geographic 0870 telephone numbers for the period 1 October 2003 to 30 September 2004.

Richard Caborn: The Department has received no revenue from the use of non-geographic 0870 numbers.

VisitBritain

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 
	(1)  if she will make a statement on her strategy for meeting the National Audit Office recommendations made in its recent report on VisitBritain on (a) long-term returns, (b) measuring and reporting return on investment, (c) ensuring good communication through VisitBritain with the tourism sector and (d) ensuring that the tourism industry gives feedback to VisitBritain;
	(2)  if she will make a statement on her strategy for meeting the National Audit Office recommendations made in its recent report on VisitBritain on ensuring there is clarity of roles and responsibilities among organisations within the tourism industry.

Richard Caborn: The Department and VisitBritain are presently considering how best to implement the recommendations contained in the National Audit Office's report, VisitBritain: Bringing Visitors to Britain. In particular:
	(a) VisitBritain was already reviewing its evaluation of both short and long-term returns prior to the publication of the report, and is now in the process of investigating a number of options for improving the evaluation of its longer term activities in new and emerging markets, and of its efforts to establish the Britain brand.
	(b) In measuring and reporting on return on investment, VisitBritain currently uses a ratio which compares levels of DCMS grant in aid to the additional visitor spending generated. ViistBritain plans to improve this methodology to include all its income sources, both public and private. Other technical changes in the weighting formulae used are also planned.
	(c) and (d) VisitBritain is considering how best to respond to the recommendations on communication and industry feedback, by means of initiatives such as Sector Clubs and other partnership projects with the industry and the wider sector. Detailed implementation proposals will be reviewed with the National Audit Office in March 2005.
	Those implementation proposals will also address the office's recommendation concerning VisitBritain's role and responsibilities in relation to those of other publicly funded tourism bodies.

HEALTH

A and E Departments

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many accident and emergency departments there are in England.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 16 December 2004
	There are 155 trusts with at least one major accident and emergency department.

Abortions

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many women over 24 weeks pregnant have received abortions in Spanish clinics paid for in whole or part from public funds in each of the last three years.

Melanie Johnson: holding answer 13 December 2004
	This information is not collected centrally. However, the Chief Medical Officer will provide contextual information when he reports, as requested by Secretary of State for Health, on the alleged links between the British Pregnancy Advisory Service and a Spanish clinic.

Acute Spinal Cord Injury

Alistair Burt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of findings of research in (a) the US and (b) the UK into the early use of methylprednisolone in acute spinal cord injury; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  if he will authorise further research into the effectiveness of early use of methylprednisolone in acute spinal cord injury;
	(3)  what guidance his Department issues on the early use of methylprednisolone in acute spinal injury trauma;
	(4)  which NHS hospital trusts in England prescribe the use of methylprednisolone in the early treatment of acute spinal cord injury.

Stephen Ladyman: holding answer 14 December 2004
	We are committed to keeping all interventions and treatment regimes under review and will consider commissioning guidance from the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) if a treatment will have a significant impact on patient care, national health service resources, Government health-related policies or the ability to add value by, for example, resolving uncertainty over appropriate use. We have no plans at this time to refer to NICE the use of methylprednisolone in the treatment of spinal cord injury.
	A systematic review of the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of hospital-based spinal cord injuries, commissioned by NHS health technology assessment programme, was completed in 2003. The review included an assessment of the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of steroids for people with such injuries. A full report of the review can be found at www.ncchta.org/project.
	Information on the prescribing of methylprednisolone within secondary care settings is not collected centrally.

Antidepressants

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what publicly-funded support is available to people who wish to stop taking antidepressant medication.

Rosie Winterton: Information is not centrally available. Publicly funded health and social care services for people wishing to withdraw from antidepressant medication can be accessed through general practitioners.
	The Department also provides funding to Mind under Section 64 of the Health Services and Public Health Act 1968. Mind has been granted £50,000 in 2003–04 and £50,000 in 2004–05 for the "Coping with Coming Off (Information and Support for Drug Withdrawal)" project, which will systematically explore people's experiences of coming off or trying to come off psychiatric drugs with the aim of improving the understanding of what makes withdrawal more or less likely to be successful. A stakeholder conference will discuss the findings and make recommendations for information provision, service development and training. Mind will then develop information for service users and practitioners to help facilitate withdrawal and will promote the project's conclusions to the professions and their training bodies.

Audiology Services

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures are in place to ensure that the present funding levels for NHS audiology services are maintained after April 2005.

Stephen Ladyman: The figures for 2005–06 are not yet decided.
	The funding will not end in April 2005. From 2005–06, it is proposed that the funding will be allocated to primary care trusts and strategic health authorities. They will be responsible for continuing the service.

Benjamin Road Day Centre

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what day services are available to people with mental health problems at the Benjamin Road Day Centre in Wycombe.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 16 December 2004
	Within our policy of "Shifting the Balance of Power", supported by other national policy documents, primary care trusts (PCTs), in conjunction with their strategic health authorities (SHAs) and other stakeholders are responsible for planning and developing services for local people based on their assessment of health needs.
	I am advised by Thames Valley SHA that the Benjamin Road Day Centre in Wycombe continues to offer a wide range of group work, and one-to-one sessions for people with severe and enduring mental health issues.

Bradford Foundation Hospital Trust

Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  who will meet the £11 million projected deficit of the Bradford Foundation Hospital Trust; and whether Monitor has approved any borrowing by the Bradford Foundation Hospital Trust against the assets of the trust;
	(2)  whether he expects services to patients to be reduced as a result of the projected £11 million deficit of the Bradford Foundation Hospital Trust.

John Hutton: Monitor (the statutory name of which is the independent regulator of national health service foundation trusts) is an independent corporate body established under the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003. The role of Monitor is to authorise, monitor and regulate national health service foundation trusts (NHSFTs), so that they deliver NHS services to NHS patients effectively, efficiently and economically in accordance with their statutory obligations.
	I am informed by the Chairman of Monitor that the appointment of Peter Garland as interim Chairman of Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHSFT in place of John Ryan will strengthen the trust's leadership and ensure that it takes effective action to address its financial position, improve relations with the local health economy and properly adjust to the cultural and organisational challenges of being a NHSFT.
	The trust is required to meet its deficit by working towards a recovery plan. As interim Chairman, it will be Mr. Garland's responsibility to lead the trust through this process while at the same time ensuring that the trust continues to provide high quality clinical care and meets national standards.
	NHSFTs are able to borrow, including from the private sector, within aggregate limits set by Monitor, through the prudential borrowing code, and specified in their terms of authorisation. They are not able to borrow against their assets. I am informed by the Chairman of Monitor that the code was issued for public consultation earlier this year and is now being finalised prior to it being laid before Parliament.
	As my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State said on 8 December 2004 to the Health Select Committee, although this is a matter for Monitor and not one in which either he or his colleagues can formally intervene, Ministers will maintain a dialogue with the West Yorkshire Strategic Health Authority and Monitor over the provision of healthcare in Bradford.

Breast Care

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  if he will review the role of clinical nurse specialists in breast care, with particular reference to (a) new roles being undertaken by breast care nurses and (b) the support, resources and training needed to undertake these roles;
	(2)  what steps he is taking to ensure the (a) recruitment and (b) retention of sufficient numbers of breast care nurses; and if he will make a statement.

Melanie Johnson: The Government are implementing a range of measures to recruit more nurses into the national health service. These including improving pay through "Agenda for Change", encouraging the NHS to become a more flexible and diverse employer, increasing training, investing in childcare and continuing professional development, attracting back returners and running national and international recruitment campaigns. As at March 2004, there were 396,359 NHS nurses, an increase of 77,500 since 1997. This overall increase in nurses working in the NHS will enable the recruitment of additional nurse specialists, chemotherapy nurses, district nurses, palliative care nurse specialists and additional nurses on wards caring for cancer patients.
	It is for cancer networks to work in partnership with strategic health authorities and work force development directorates to assess, plan and review their work force needs and the education and training of all staff linked to local and national priorities for cancer, including implementation of NICE guidance on improving outcomes in breast cancer.

Breast Care

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy (a) to recommend to the National Institute for Clinical Excellence that it introduce guidance on the maximum caseloads for breast care nurses in its forthcoming review of breast cancer diagnosis and treatment and (b) to direct NHS trusts to implement guidance on maximum caseloads for breast care nurses.

Melanie Johnson: The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) is an independent body. The processes by which it determines the recommendations of its guidance and how guidance may be influenced by stakeholders is published on the NICE'S website at: www.nice.org.uk.
	Cancer networks work in partnership with strategic health authorities and workforce development directorates to assess, plan and review their workforce needs, taking into account recommendations made by NICE.

Breast Milk Banks

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to increase the number of breast milk banks; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Ladyman: The provision of breast milk banks is a matter for local decision. We are currently examining the evidence base in support of the suggested benefits from donated breast milk for use by premature babies, which include a reduction in the incidence of infection, of necrotising enterocolitis and providing for an earlier tolerance of enteral feeds. Although mothers and their donated milk are screened before use, there remain concerns about the potential for transmission of infectious agents from human milk.

Cancer Care

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make available through cancer networks financial audits of the last week of life of cancer patients.

Melanie Johnson: We are not aware of any financial audit for the last week of life.

Care Homes (Cleanliness)

Brian Cotter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health who is responsible for monitoring the implementation of infection control standards in care homes.

Stephen Ladyman: The Commission for Social Care Inspection is responsible for ensuring that care homes comply with the care homes regulations, taking account of the national minimum standards.

Care Homes (Cleanliness)

Brian Cotter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress the Public Health Medicine and Environmental Group has made on updating the existing guidance on infection control in nursing homes.

Melanie Johnson: The public health medicine and environment group is currently revising and updating the guidance set out in "Guidelines on the Control of Infection in Residential and Nursing Homes". They are making good progress and we expect the final guidance to be published in mid 2005.

Celebrating our Cultures

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether additional training will be offered to general practitioners through "Celebrating our Cultures" on recognising mental illness in ethnic minorities.

Rosie Winterton: "Celebrating our Cultures: Guidelines for Mental Health Promotion with Black and Minority Ethnic Communities" provides information about mental health promotion with black and minority ethnic communities, and the evidence to support it, to inform the delivery of local mental health promotion strategies. The guide is intended for wide range of people with a role in promoting the mental health of black and minority communities, including general practitioners.
	General practice vocational training in England and Wales, which takes a minimum of three years postgraduate training following medical school and pre-registration year, is supervised and approved by the joint committee on postgraduate training for general practice. Periods of hospital training in particular specialities are required by the regulations. These include, for example, general medicine, paediatrics, geriatrics, psychiatry and obstetrics. All trainee GPs gain first hand experience of dealing with the full range of health problems of national health service patients during their time in general practice, including those of people from diverse backgrounds. We are not aware of plans at present time to offer general practitioners additional training on recognising mental illness in ethnic minorities.
	"Delivering Race Equality in Mental Health Care", which will be published very shortly, will include actions to improve the delivery of mental health services to people from black and minority ethnic communities in primary care.

Cialis (Counterfeiting)

Adrian Flook: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  whether the route of access for the counterfeit supplies of the drug cialis that were recently discovered in the legitimate wholesale medicines supply chain has been identified; what action his Department has taken to prevent the circulation of counterfeit cialis; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what evidence he has received that supplies of counterfeit cialis and reductil have been discovered in the legitimate medicines supply chain; and whether he has received evidence that such supplies have passed through the licensed parallel trade supply chain in (a) the UK and (b) other EU member states.

Rosie Winterton: The enforcement group of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) are investigating suspected criminal offences involving the supply of counterfeit cialis and reductil via the legitimate supply chain. The route of access is one aspect of the investigation, but details cannot be disclosed while this investigation continues.
	The date officers from the criminal investigation unit have discovered counterfeit cialis and enforcement action has been taken to remove them from the supply chain.
	The MHRA investigates all allegations of counterfeit medicines in the United Kingdom, the vast majority of which are not associated with the tightly regulated legitimate supply chain. Action in the form of legal proceedings is taken if appropriate.
	The MHRA routinely carries out market surveillance by sampling and testing medicines on the UK market for authentication. It is also consulting with pharmaceutical industry concerning technical developments in product security.
	Action to prevent circulation of the counterfeit product includes a recall at patient level through the MHRA defective medicines reporting centre. MHRA inspectors and Royal Pharmaceutical Society inspectors have increased monitoring of product batch numbers during routine inspections of wholesalers and pharmacies.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Parmjit Dhanda: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to increase the availability of cognitive behavioural therapy.

Rosie Winterton: The national mental health choice forum, which was convened in September 2004 by the National Institute for Mental Health in England, has been asked to produce a strategy for extending patient choice across the range of mental health services. The Forum will consider how best to increase the availability of all talking treatments including cognitive behaviour therapy.
	The Department also published "Organising and Delivering Psychological Services" in July, which aims to support the delivery of psychological therapy services by highlighting the key issues of access, waiting times, and improving care pathways.

Coventry Primary Care Trust

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what budget was granted to the Coventry Primary Care Trust in each of the last three years.

Stephen Ladyman: The table shows the unified allocations to Coventry Primary Care Trust (PCT) for each of the years 2002–03 to 2004–05.
	
		
			  Allocations (£ million) 
		
		
			 2002–03 264.7 
			 2003–04 289.9 
			 2004–05 318.4 
		
	
	Note:
	In 2002–03, the Department made allocations to health authorities (HAs) and HAs made allocations to PCTs.
	From 2003–04, the Department has made allocations direct to PCTs.

Dental Nurses

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the merits of training dental nurses to conduct simple regular dental check-ups.

Rosie Winterton: We are working with General Dental Council to develop team working in dentistry by providing for the registration of additional classes of professional complementary to dentistry including dental nurses. The new contractual arrangements we are to introduce from October 2005, which involve the delegation of the commissioning of national health service dentistry to primary care trusts, will provide or greater scope for innovation in the delivery of dental care.

Dental Practice Board

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment his Department has made of the likely impact of the new dentists' contract on the workload of the Dental Practice Board.

Rosie Winterton: The Department has regular meetings with the Dental Practice Board to assess the impact of the new dentists' contract on its operations.

Dentistry

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dentists he expects to recruit from (a) Poland, (b) Germany, (c) Denmark and (d) Spain in 2004–05.

Rosie Winterton: The Department intends to recruit approximately 230 dentists from its recruitment in Poland. No firm estimates have yet been made of recruitment from Germany, Spain and Denmark. In addition, some primary care trusts carry out recruitment activity themselves.

Dentistry

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the recruitment agencies used to recruit dentists from (a) Poland, (b) Germany, (c) Denmark and (d) Spain; and what the cost of using them has been.

Rosie Winterton: No recruitment agencies have been used to recruit dentists apart from Poland, where a contract was placed with Methods Consulting. The value of this contract is £3.8 million for recruitment of dentists from Poland.

Dentistry

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of dentists' time was spent on NHS work on (a) 1 April 1990, (b) 1 April 1997 and (c) 1 April 2004.

Rosie Winterton: The available information is in Appendix E of the supplement to the thirtieth report 2001 of the "Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration"—Cm 4999.
	In table 89, in March 2000, mean hours per week of a general dental practitioner on general dental service (CDS)—national health service—work were 25.13 hours, with 7.91 hours on private practice and with 1.16 hours shared time. GDS time as a percentage of GDS time and private practice time in March 2000 was 76 per cent.
	A 1991 workload survey gave GDS time of 26.43 hours and private time of 2.5 hours, with 3.02 hours shared time. The GDS time as a percentage of GDS time and private practice time in 1991 was 91 per cent.
	We are to introduce new contractual arrangements for NHS dentistry from October 2005, which are intended to make NHS dentistry more attractive to dentists. One of the main changes is the replacement of the treatment-based, item-of-service method of paying dentists with a remuneration package derived from an evidence-based assessment of patients' overall oral health care needs. This will enable dentists to spend more time with their patients and reward them for giving oral health promotion advice.

Dentistry

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS dentists moved to entirely private practice in each month of the latest year for which figures are available.

Rosie Winterton: The Department only collects information on national health service dentistry and therefore no information can be provided for private dentistry. Relatively few dentists practise totally privately. The Office of Fair Trading report, "The private dentistry market in the UK", published in March 2003, estimated that out of 11,000 dental practices, about 210 are totally private.

Dentistry

Robert Walter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dental practices are operating in North Dorset constituency; and how many of those practices are accepting new adult patients.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 16 December 2004
	The nhs.uk website shows 13 general and personal dental service practices in North Dorset Primary Care Trust (PCT) at 10 December 2O04.
	The number of general and personal dental service practices shown on the nhs.uk website as accepting new adult national health service patients in North Dorset PCT is shown in the table. This is given at 10 December 2004.
	Some dental practices not shown on the nhs.uk website as taking on new patients may be doing so.
	
		
			  Number of practices 
		
		
			 Registering charge exempt adults for NHS treatment 2 
			 Registering charge paying adults for NHS treatment 1

Dentistry

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average annual payment made by the NHS to a dentist working full-time, and with a wholly NHS patient list, was in each of the last three years.

Rosie Winterton: Information on private working of national health service dentists is not routinely available.
	The average annual payment in 2003–04 to general dental service (CDS) dentists was £150,000 to dentists with a reasonable commitment to the GDS. Dentists with a reasonable commitment are defined as dentists earning at least £57,300 in fees for treatments and patient capitation.
	The corresponding annual average payments in 2001–02 and 2002–03 were £136,000 and £143,000 respectively. The payment figures cover both fees for treatments and patient capitation as well as other payments, such as seniority payments and commitment payments and payments for maternity and sickness. The payments cover both income to the dentists as well as their expenses.

Dentistry

David Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he has taken to improve NHS dental provision in Bolton, North-East.

Rosie Winterton: Bolton Primary Care Trust (PCT) received £207,000 in 2004–05 from dental modernisation funds for one-off payment grants. This allocation will enable the primary care trust to invest in primary care premises and facilities to improve dental access and quality.
	In addition, Bolton PCT received £89,000 from a national distribution of £15 million to primary care trusts for local access initiatives to support access, quality and choice.
	A further £30,000 was allocated to Bolton PCT specifically to modernise its salaried dental services in preparation for the move to the model of primary dental care services in 2005. This dental access funding allocated to Bolton PCT will facilitate an increase in primary dental provision for an additional 4,137 patients.
	There have also been successful negotiations with 19 dental practices to provisionally move to personal dental services and it is expected that a number of these will be in place by early 2005. These new contacts plan for a further significant growth in new patient registrations.

Dentistry

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS registered dentists there were in (a) St. Ives constituency and (b) Cornwall in each of the past 10 years for which records are available.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 15 December 2004
	The number of general and personal dental service dentists in the Cornwall area by primary care trust at June each year from 1995 to 2004 is shown in the table.
	
		Number of general and personal dental service dentists in Cornwall PCTs at June each year: 1995 to 2004
		
			  PCT 
			  Central Cornwall North and East Cornwall West of Cornwall Total 
		
		
			 1995 68 50 48 166 
			 1996 65 51 50 166 
			 1997 69 48 52 169 
			 1998 78 51 56 185 
			 1999 94 48 47 189 
			 2000 104 51 49 204 
			 2001 115 46 53 214 
			 2002 118 50 53 221 
			 2003 124 44 56 224 
			 2004 122 45 57 224 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. PCTs took responsibility for dental services from October 2002. Therefore, for the dates in the table up to 2002, dentists are assigned to areas using practice postcodes. The personal dental service affects the figures from June 1999 onwards; some dentists in the personal dental service switched from other national health service dental services.
	2. Dentists working in more than one PCT are counted in each PCT where they do dental work.
	Source:
	Dental Practice Board.

Dentistry

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS dentists have practices in the Coventry area; and what steps are being taken to recruit more dentists to the area.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 7 December 2004
	At 30 November 2004, there were 43 general dental service practices within the Coventry Primary Care Trust (PCT) area.
	Coventry PCT is taking an active part in the Department's international recruitment campaign. A dentist from Poland is expected to commence work in Coventry in February 2005. This new dentist is expected to result in an additional 2,000 patients being registered over a period of 12 months. Two further posts have been offered to Polish dentists.
	The PCT is continuing to participate in the campaign. The PCT recruited a dental practice advisor in November 2004 to offer support to dental practices. The PCT is also recruiting a new consultant in dental public health, to start work early in 2005, to assist in the development of dentistry in Coventry.
	As part of the personal dental services (PDS) scheme, Coventry PCT is looking to increase list sizes in the areas of greatest need and to offer services to hard to reach communities and care homes.
	West Midlands South Strategic Health Authority reports that the PCT is currently in discussions with eleven of its practices around the PDS scheme. One practice has already signed up to the scheme. The others are currently being processed. The PCT is hoping to gain an additional five—part-time national health service—dentists as part of these discussions.
	13 practices in the area have been awarded capital grants as a means of improving access to NHS services for patients.
	Overall, Coventry PCT is expecting to see an increase of 4,500 places on dental practice lists over the next 12 months.

Departmental Costs

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his estimate is of the cost of (a) ministerial cars and drivers and (b) taxis for his Department in each of the last two years.

Rosie Winterton: My hon. Friend, the former Minister for the Cabinet Office, Ruth Kelly, has asked Nick Matheson, chief executive of the Government Car and Despatch Agency to write to the hon. Member with details of the cost of ministerial vehicles provided to this Department in 2003–04.
	Information on ministerial vehicles for the financial year 2002–03 was similarly provided in a letter deposited in the Library, referred to in the response given on 13 November 2003, Official Report, columns 397–98W by the then Minister for the Cabinet Office.
	The cost of taxis for the last two years was:
	
		£000
		
			  Cost 
		
		
			 2002–03 337 
			 2003–04 403 
		
	
	The Department ensures that all business travel is made by the most economic means, taking into account any management benefit and the needs of staff with disabilities.

Depression

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people he estimates to have (a) mild and (b) severe depression.

Rosie Winterton: The information is not available in the requested format. According to the Office for National Statistics' report, "Psychiatric morbidity among adults living in private households (2000)", 88 per 1,000 people were assessed as having mixed anxiety and depressive disorder and 26 per 1000 were assessed as having a depressive episode. A copy of this report is available in the Library.

Depression

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people have been diagnosed with (a) mild and (b) severe depression in each of the last five years.

Rosie Winterton: Information is not available in the requested format. The Department provides hospital episode statistics data which relates to diagnostic information for in-patients in national health service hospitals. During their course of treatment over a period of time, patients may have a number of episodes of care, which are counted each time they have a stay in hospital. Information relating to diagnosis where a patient is still under the care of a hospital consultant is not recorded. Information on finished consultant episodes with a primary diagnosis of depression in each of the last five years is shown in the table.
	
		Finished consultant episodes for patients with a primary diagnosis of depression (F33), NHS hospitals, England
		
			  Total 
		
		
			 1998–99 47,929 
			 1999–2000 45,395 
			 2000–01 43,395 
			 2001–02 42,063 
			 2002–03 34,376 
		
	
	Notes:
	Figures are grossed for both coverage and missing/invalid data, except for 2002–03, which are not adjusted for shortfalls. A finished consultant episode is defined as a period of admitted patient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. Please note that figures do not represent the number of patients, as a person may have more than one episode of care within the year.
	The primary diagnosis is the first of up to 14—seven prior to 2002–03—diagnosis fields in the hospital episode statistics data set and provides the main reason why the patient was in hospital.
	Source:
	Hospital episode statistics, Department of Health.

Doctors Surgeries

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many doctors' surgeries there are in England.

John Hutton: holding answer 16 December 2004
	The total number of doctors' surgeries is not held centrally. It is believed that the number of main and branch surgeries is around 10,500 but the actual number is regularly changing as a result of improvement, replacement and closure of surgeries.

Electronic Clinical Records

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what regulations he expects to propose in respect of the National Programme for IT electronic record sharing under section 60 of the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003.

John Hutton: I have no plans to introduce regulations in respect of the national programme for information technology electronic data sharing under section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2001.

Employment Terms and Conditions

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what schemes (a) are in place and (b) are being assessed by his Department to encourage employers to use temporary job modifications to help people back to work, as referred to in the Choosing Health White Paper.

Rosie Winterton: Temporary workplace modification is a key component of helping people back to work in the incapacity benefit reform pilots and a four arm randomised controlled trial—the job retention and rehabilitation pilots—are being jointly sponsored by the Departments of Health and Work and Pensions. These schemes are being evaluated, but the results are not expected until 2005–06.
	We are looking for evidence of the effectiveness of temporary job modifications in the NHS Plus evidence guideline project; the first guideline on the management of mild to moderate mental ill health in the workplace is expected to be published in the second half of 2005.
	We will continue to support the on-going work on the further development of vocational rehabilitation.

Fluoride

David Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has commissioned on the causes of bone cancer which has included assessment of exposure to fluoride.

Rosie Winterton: In 2001, the Department commissioned the Medical Research Council (MRC) to provide advice on current scientific evidence regarding the health effects of fluorides in the context of water fluoridation. In September 2002, the MRC published the report "Water Fluoridation and Health". It stated that the available evidence does not suggest a link between water fluoridation and either cancer in general or any specific cancer type, including osteosarcoma, primary bone cancer, but recommended the Department monitored data collected on the incidence of cancer so that any aberrant trends in populations receiving fluoridated water could be investigated. We are acting on this suggestion.

Foundation Hospitals

Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health on which matters foundation hospitals are required to report to the (a) Healthcare Commission and (b) Monitor.

John Hutton: National health service foundation trusts (NHSFTs) are subject to national standards set by the Secretary of State, performance ratings, and systems of inspection, like all other NHS trusts. However, accountability for NHSFTs is to local people and staff, NHS commissioners, Monitor, the statutory name of which is the independent regulator of NHSFTs, and Parliament, rather than to the Department and Ministers.
	The role of the Healthcare Commission is to conduct annual reviews and where necessary investigations into the provision of NHS healthcare, and publish performance ratings for NHSFTs, taking into account their performance against national standards and targets in the same manner it does for all NHS bodies. The Healthcare Commission may therefore review any data relating to the provision of NHS healthcare by NHSFTs. The role of Monitor is to oversee compliance by NHSFTs within boundaries detailed in the terms of authorisation, and also the legislation. The terms of authorisation sets out the conditions under which NHSFTs must operate and requires them to take into account national standards. Monitor has recently issued its compliance regime for NHSFTs for consultation—available at www.nhsft-regulator.gov.uk—which details the level of information on compliance with the terms of authorisation that NHSFTs are required to provide to Monitor in-year. Both Monitor and the Healthcare Commission are subject to a statutory duty to cooperate with one another in the exercise of their respective functions. In collaboration with the Healthcare Commission, Monitor is reviewing NHSFTs' current external reporting with a view to reducing the information burden substantially.

Midwives

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many wards have been closed over the last year because of midwife shortages.

John Hutton: The information requested is not collected centrally. The Government are increasing the number of midwives working in the national health service. We expect that there would be 2,000 more midwives working in the NHS by the end of 2005 than there were in 2000. In September 2003, there were over 1,300 more NHS midwives than there were in 2000, on course to meet this expectation.

Health Services

Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what capital investment his Department has made in the Lewisham, Deptford constituency in the past three years.

Stephen Ladyman: Information is not collected for parliamentary constituencies. However, the South East London Strategic Health Authority reports that, in recent years, over £800 million has been invested to develop healthcare in South East London and that other capital schemes are at a planning stage.
	These developments include the private finance initiative redevelopment of Lewisham hospital with a capital value of £72 million, which reached financial close on 8 July 2004 and is due to receive its first patient in the autumn of 2006.

Health Services

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many staff there have been in the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals Trust in each year of its existence, set out in the same manner as in his answer to the hon. Member for Bury St. Edmunds (Mr. Ruffley) on 8 September 2004, Official Report, column 1277W.

Melanie Johnson: The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		Hospital, public health medicine and community health services (HCHS): Medicine and dental staff, and non-medical staff in the Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals National Health Service Trust as at 30 September each specified year -- Numbers (headcount)
		
			 As at 30 September: 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 
		
		
			 Medical and dental Staff 974 967 1,073 1,136 1,173 1,190 
			 Non-medical staff: of which 6,908 8,322 8,385 9,044 9,575 9,634 
			 Professionally qualified clinical staff 3,691 4,408 4,222 4,614 4,973 5,054 
			 Qualified nurses 2,827 3,398 3,213 3,539 3,616 3,613 
			 Allied health professionals 329 394 394 417 383 419 
			 Other qualified St and t 535 616 615 658 974 1,022 
			
			 Support to clinical staff 2,111 2,630 2,891 2,722 2,873 3,568 
			 Support to doctors and nurses 1,724 2,135 2,429 2,202 2,358 2,963 
			 Support to St and t 387 495 462 520 515 605 
			
			 NHS infrastructure support 1,105 1,283 1,272 1,690 1,729 1,012 
			
			 Other and unknown 1 1 0 16 0 0 
		
	
	Note:
	The increase in support to clinical staff and the decrease in NHS infrastructure staff 2002–03 is as a result of the reclassification of occupation codes of staff within these areas.
	Sources:
	Department of Health non-medical workforce census.
	Department of Health medical and dental workforce census.

Health Services

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people were on NHS (a) alcohol and (b) drug rehabilitation schemes in the Newcastle City Primary Care Trust area in each year since 1998–99.

Melanie Johnson: Information on numbers for alcohol treatment is not collected centrally. Data for the number of individuals on drug rehabilitation schemes is not available in the format requested. However, the available data is shown in the table.
	In 2003–04, there were 805 people in contact with structured drug treatment in the Newcastle upon Tyne drug action team area. This figure is not directly comparable to previous years as new criteria were introduced in 2003–04, which means that we are not able to make a direct comparison with previous years. National data was produced for 2001–02 and 2002–03, but this data was not verified at a local level.
	
		Number of users reported as presenting for treatment for drug misuse in Newcastle and North Tyneside health authority during six month periods ending 30 September 1998 to 31 March 2001
		
			  Six month period ending Newcastle and North Tyneside health authority 
		
		
			 September 1998 224 
			 March 1999 393 
			 September 1999 387 
			 March 2000 274 
			 September 2000 460 
			 March 2001 366 
		
	
	Note:
	Reporting to the regional drug misuse databases was voluntary; changes in the numbers of users presenting may, at least in part, be due to changes in reporting practice.
	Source:
	The Department of Health series of statistical bulletins 'Statistics from the Regional Drug Misuse Databases'. Bulletins for the six months ending September 1998 onwards are available on the Departments website at: http://www.publications.doh.gov.uk/public/work_ public_ health.htm#SDD

Hospitals (Manchester)

Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment was made of the (a) available and (b) future capacity of each Greater Manchester NHS hospital to perform operations of the kind planned for the Greater Manchester Surgical Unit as part of the assessment of the viability of that unit; and what shortfall in capacity was identified.

Melanie Johnson: The assessment of local delivery options is for strategic health authorities to undertake as part of their capacity planning and local delivery planning responsibilities.
	The Department issued capacity planning guidance for 2006–07 to 2007–08 to strategic health authorities (SHAs) in May 2004. The guidance recommends that the first stage of planning should be to model demand for services. This includes looking at effective local approaches to meeting national and local objectives, including options for best meeting patients' needs and the settings that allow patients to be seen most conveniently and appropriately.
	Detailed information regarding the business case for the Greater Manchester Surgical Centre is not held centrally. This information can be obtained from the Greater Manchester SHA.

Hospitals (Manchester)

Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the waiting times were in (a) 2003 and (b) 2004 for each hospital in Greater Manchester for the areas of surgery due to be undertaken by the Greater Manchester Surgical Unit; and how many patients were on the waiting list.

Melanie Johnson: The information requested can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Hospitals (Manchester)

Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much money was (a) paid by and (b) withheld from each Greater Manchester primary care trust (i) for the last two financial years and (ii) in the next year with respect to (A) the Greater Manchester Surgical Unit and (B) the Choice Initiative.

Melanie Johnson: The Department allocated £5.3 million in 2003–04 and £4.7 million in 2004–05 to Greater Manchester Strategic Health Authority (SHA) as part of the choice initiative. The funding was allocated to Salford Primary Care Trust, on behalf of the SHA.
	More detailed information on how funding was distributed can be obtained from Greater Manchester SHA.

Irradiation Treatment

Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether irradiation treatment of (a) fruit, (b) vegetables, (c) cereals, (d) bulbs and tubers, (e) spices and condiments, (f) fish and shellfish and (g) poultry is permitted in the UK.

Melanie Johnson: Under current United Kingdom food irradiation regulations 1 any person can apply for a licence to irradiate food that falls within the following categories:
	(a) fruit (includes fungi, tomatoes and rhubarb);
	(b) vegetables (includes pulses);
	(c) cereals;
	(d) bulbs and tubers (potatoes, yams, onions, shallots and garlic);
	(e) spices and condiments (dried substances normally used for seasoning);
	(f) fish and shellfish (includes eels, crustaceans and molluscs);
	(g) poultry (domestic fowls, geese, ducks, guinea fowls, pigeons, quails and turkeys).
	At present, only one UK irradiation facility holds a licence to irradiate food and this licence permits the irradiation of a range of dried herbs, spices and seasonings at a facility in Swindon. Dried spices and condiments are currently the only foods that can be irradiated in the UK.
	The schedules to the food irradiation regulations set out what is required in an application for a food irradiation licence and it is the Food Standards Agency who consider applications and who inspect food irradiation facilities in the UK.
	Sources
	1 The Food (Control of Irradiation) Regulations 1990 as amended.
	The Food (Control of Irradiation) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1992 as amended.

Jobs Website

Richard Allan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health who produced the business case for the jobs.nhs.uk website project; and if he will publish it.

John Hutton: The Department produced the business case for the national health service e-recruitment service, www.nhs.uk/jobs. Copies have been placed in the Library.

Jobs Website

Richard Allan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much his Department spent on the jobs.nhs.uk website to date; and how much he expects to spend on the website in (a) 2005–06 and (b) 2006–07.

John Hutton: The business case shows that the planned costs of the national health service careers e-recruitment service are:
	
		£ million
		
			  Amount 
		
		
			 2003–04 2.3 
			 2004–05 2.4 
			 2005–06 1.4 
			 2006–07 1.4

Mental Health

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made in implementing in the north-west the national service framework for mental health.

Rosie Winterton: The implementation of the national service framework for mental health is envisaged to take up to 10 years. Information about improvements in local service provision that have occurred in the first five years of implementation can be obtained from the relevant strategic health authorities.
	Our assessment shows that following the national service framework for mental health and supported by additional investment, people with mental health problems in England are now able to exercise more choice; be treated at home instead of hospital where appropriate; and access services more easily in an emergency.
	All strategic health authorities have omitted to deliveries their shares of the national targets. Full and validated data on most of the December 2004 targets will be available and published in mid-February by when we will have a clearer picture of what the position will be at the end of March 2005. The recovery and support unit in the Department and the National Institute for Mental Health in England are supporting SHAs to manage the most challenged trusts and improve the reliability and validity of data.
	A report to be published very shortly by the national director for mental health will set out the progress made nationally in the first five years of implementation.

Mixed-sex Wards

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many mixed-sex wards there are in hospitals in Greater London; and if he will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: This information is not available in the format requested. Compliance with the requirement to provide single-sex accommodation is measured at trust level only.
	In the five London strategic health authorities, 96 per cent. of national health service (NHS) trusts report that they provide single-sex sleeping accommodation. Nationally, 99 per cent. of NHS trusts meet this requirement.

Monitor

Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost was of the re-branding of the Regulator of Foundation Hospitals as Monitor, including the cost of designing the new logo.

John Hutton: I understand from the chairman of Monitor that the total costs of the design work for the development and implementation of the Monitor brand was £24,465, excluding value added tax. The total costs include £8,200 on re-branding and enhancing the website and £3,000 on the application of the new design to letterhead, business cards and presentation material. Monitor timed the introduction of its new name to coincide with its relocation to new offices, thereby minimising the additional expenditure required.

MS Decision Maker Website

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hits have been recorded on the MS Decision Maker website since it was set up; and what assessment he has made of its usefulness in helping those with multiple sclerosis decide on the most appropriate drug therapy.

Stephen Ladyman: From its launch on 9 September 2004 until December 2004, the MS decision maker website has received 6,687 individual visitors, each viewing an average of eight web pages.
	An evaluation of a prototype version of the website was undertaken prior to launch. The task force on medicines partnership, who developed the website in conjunction with the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, continue to monitor its usefulness through on-line feedback.

NHS Cleaning Services

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health in which NHS trusts cleaning services are (a) directly managed and (b) outsourced.

John Hutton: holding answer 16 December 2004
	The information requested has been placed in the Library. The data provided were collected during the 2003–04 patient environment action team (PEAT) programme and are listed by site as the information is not collected at trust level. It lists 705 hospital sites where it was reported that cleaning was undertaken by in-house staff and 440 hospital sites where it was reported that cleaning services were outsourced. Some sites reported that the responsibility for cleaning was split between in-house staff and contract cleaners and these sites are not listed, as we do not hold information centrally on which is the primary contract.
	The 2003–04 PEAT programme ran from December 2003 to May 2004. The arrangements for cleaning in hospitals are a matter for local managers and it is possible that some of the information provided has since changed.

NHS Plus Initiative

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on progress with the NHS Plus Initiative.

Rosie Winterton: NHS Plus was established in November 2001 to encourage the provision of occupational health services by national health service occupational health departments to external employers under the income generation arrangements. Over one hundred occupational health departments, representing approximately 50 per cent. of all NHS units, joined the scheme and research during the first two full years of operation indicated an income growth of around 16 per cent. per annum.
	In addition to clinical services, NHS Plus maintains an internet website, which allows employers to identify their local provider and gives general occupational health advice. Routine monitoring of web traffic shows between 5,000 and 8,000 individual visitors per month in the first half of 2004. Thirdly, an evidence based guideline project is under way, with partners in Europe, the voluntary sector in the United Kingdom and the NHS, to develop appropriate quality guidance for all occupational health services. Five guidelines are currently being constructed with the first expected to be published in the second half of 2005.

NHS Staff

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the Government's plans to increase the numbers of (a) school nurses and (b) community matrons are based on the recruitment into these posts (i) of nurses already working in the NHS and (ii) additional nurses.

John Hutton: We expect new school nurse and community matron posts to be filled by a combination of additional nurses and nurses already working in the primary care. Overall, we expect that the number of nurses in working in the national health service will continue to rise.

NHS Trusts (Budgets)

Oliver Letwin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the NHS trusts which have indicated that they expect a deficit exceeding 1 per cent. of their budget for 2004–05.

John Hutton: The audited information in respect of the 2004–05 financial position of all national health service trusts will be published in their individual annual accounts and will be available centrally in autumn 2005. We have no plans to publish un-audited in year financial information.

Occupational Health

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action his Department is taking to improve its capacity to raise standards of occupational health in the labour force.

Rosie Winterton: As chapter seven, "Work and Health", of the public health White Paper "Choosing Health Making Healthy Choices Easier" published on 16 November makes clear, improving working conditions to reduce the causes of ill health related to work is high on the Department's agenda. Work and the rewards it brings, allows full participation in our society. Good standards of occupational health in the labour force enable both employers and employees to tackle the cause and effects of work place ill health and go a long way to ensuring that this 'gold standard' is achieved.
	The "Work and Health" chapter of the White Paper sets out how the Department intends to build on a number of already successful departmental occupational health initiatives to further increase the capacity of the provision of occupational health services in England. These include support for further development of the framework for vocational rehabilitation, increasing the availability of NHS Plus, developing further evidence based guidelines for occupational health, and publishing guidance on the management of mild to moderate mental ill health in the workplace.

Occupational Health

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what indicators he (a) publishes and (b) monitors on the relative performance of EU member states on occupational health matters.

Jane Kennedy: No internationally comparable data from official sources are available on occupational or work-related illness. Member states differ too much in data collection systems, institutional arrangements and cultural background for international comparisons to be meaningful.

Parliamentary Questions

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will reply to the questions from the hon. Member for Birkenhead, references 201524 and 201525, tabled on 29 November.

John Hutton: I replied to my right hon. Friend on 2 December 2004, Official Report, column 240W.

Primary Care Trusts (Compulsory Purchase)

Liam Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what powers of compulsory purchase primary care trusts (PCTs) have; and how many compulsory purchase orders have been issued by PCTs since their inception.

John Hutton: Schedule 1 of the Health Act 1999 provides that a primary care trust (PCT) may be authorised to purchase land compulsorily for the purposes of its functions by means of an order made by the trust and confirmed by the Secretary of State for Health.
	No order is to be made by a PCT in respect of any land unless the proposal to acquire the land compulsorily has been submitted to the Secretary of State in the form and with the information, required by him, and has been approved by him.
	No requests have been received from PCTs, since their inception, for the approval of a compulsory purchase order.

Skipton Fund

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of the Skipton Fund is used for administrative purposes, broken down by (a) rent, (b) business rates, (c) phone costs, (d) utilities, (e) costs of medical panels, (f) costs of processing initial decisions and (g) costs of processing appeals.

Melanie Johnson: The Skipton Fund became operational from 5 July 2004. The Skipton Fund is required to submit a record of their expenditure once a year, including administrative costs.

Surgical Urology

Oliver Letwin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average cost of surgical urology treatments in (a) Bournemouth, (b) Winchester, (c) Southampton and (d) Dorchester was in the last period for which figures are available.

Rosie Winterton: The table shows cost per episode of surgical urology treatments in Bournemouth, Winchester, Southampton and Dorchester. The cost per episode figures supplied for patients using a bed are the closest available to the requested information. 2003–04 is the last period for which figures are available. These figures are provisional.
	
		Cost per episode of surgical urology treatments 2003–04
		
			  £ 
		
		
			 Bournemouth area 697.43 
			 Winchester area 785.20 
			 Southampton area 677.35 
			 Dorchester area 563.40 
		
	
	Source:
	Annual financial returns of national health service trusts and primary care trusts.

Temporary Accommodation

Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment his Department has made of the effects on the health of families of living in temporary accommodation.

Melanie Johnson: This Government commissioned an independent review of health inequalities by Sir Donald Acheson. The Acheson Report (1998) identified a number of links between ill health and homelessness, including for those living in temporary accommodation. For example, it found that 45 per cent. of the bed and breakfast population have experienced psychological distress, compared to 20 per cent. of the general population. Building on this and subsequent work, the Department and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister have issued guidance to local authorities, primary care trusts and other local stakeholders, setting out how they can improve health outcomes for homeless people in their local areas—"Achieving positive shared outcomes in health and homelessness".

Vaccine Stockpiles

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what mechanisms the Health Protection Agency has agreed with its equivalent agencies in the European Union to achieve common standards and stocks of national vaccine stockpiles.

Melanie Johnson: holding answer 16 December 2004
	The responsibility for the vaccine stock for the United Kingdom national immunisation programme lies with the Department. The Department's aim is to ensure that there is sufficient stock of vaccines to meet the requirements for the UK.
	The Health Protection Agency maintains strong links with European colleagues on a range of vaccination issues.

Ward Housekeepers

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of hospitals have ward housekeepers in place in the NHS in England.

Rosie Winterton: Data submitted by national health service trusts for 30 September 2004 reports that 53 per cent. of all hospitals have introduced a ward housekeeping service. This means that the NHS Plan target for half of all hospitals to have housekeepers by December 2004 has been met. For hospitals over 100 beds, which account for 86 per cent. of all beds, the percentage rises to 70.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

A3

Christopher Chope: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister for what reason the public inquiry into the realignment of the A3 at Hindhead has been adjourned; when he expects the inquiry to end; and on what date he expects the Inspector to report.

Keith Hill: The inquiry was adjourned in response to representations made by the Highways Agency. These representations proposed scheme modifications and Revised Orders. The adjournment was necessary in order for the parties to consider the revisions and to put formal representations to the inquiry. The inquiry is due to resume on 15 February 2005.
	At this stage, the Inspectors are aiming to close the inquiry before the end of February 2005 and produce their report by the summer of 2005. But this timetable will be subject to the extent of the representations to the Revised Order.

A303

Christopher Chope: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when a decision will be announced in respect of the public inquiry into the A303 strategic improvement.

Keith Hill: The Inspector is currently preparing his report. A decision will be announced by my right hon. Friends the First Secretary of State and the Secretary of State for Transport jointly as soon as possible after receipt of the inquiry Inspector's report.

Affordable Housing

David Drew: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the status is of the rural exceptions policy for the provision of affordable housing in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on forthcoming targets.

Keith Hill: The Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions published a research report in February 2002 called "Delivering Affordable Housing through Planning Policy". This reviewed the implementation of planning for affordable housing policies, including the operation of rural exception policies. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister drew on this research in proposing changes to the policy on rural exception housing, which it consulted upon last year. I refer my hon. Friend to the answer of 13 December 2004, Official Report, column 938W.
	The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister wrote earlier this month to the Chairmen of the Regional Housing Boards on the outcomes we wish to see from the recommendations they will be making to us in May 2005 on how resources for housing capital investment should be targeted in 2006–07 and 2007–08. It was made clear in the letter that we were looking to the Boards outside London to put forward proposals for targets for rural housing in both market towns and small settlements, which will allow the targets to reflect the region's needs and priorities.

Christmas Cards

David Davis: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many hours of staff time were taken up in preparation of Christmas cards in 2004.

Phil Hope: A small proportion of staff time was taken up in selecting and arranging production of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister Christmas Card. In addition a small number of staff across the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister were also involved in distribution of the cards. This work is carried out as part of the normal duties of people concerned and is not recorded separately.

Christmas Cards

David Davis: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many departmental staff have responsibility for preparing Christmas cards.

Phil Hope: One member of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister staff has responsibility for selecting and arranging production of the official Christmas cards as part of wider corporate communication activities.

Countryside Signage

David Drew: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the level of signage in the countryside; if he will issue new guidelines to local authorities on (a) how to seek early removal of such signs and (b) the bringing of prosecutions; and if he will bring forward legislative proposals, in conjunction with the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, to expedite such processes.

Keith Hill: Signage is controlled by local planning authorities under the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations 1992 and local authorities are already provided with guidance.
	Next year the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister intends to make new Regulations to consolidate and update the 1992 Regulations. There will be new guidance in an accompanying Circular. We intend to introduce further measures to combat fly- posting in the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Bill.

County Hall

Tony Banks: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1)  what payments have been made by the Shirayama Corporation in respect of the outstanding balance on the purchase price of County Hall, London, SE1 from the annual net-profit of the hotel and other business activities in the riverside building;
	(2)  what payments remain outstanding from the sale of County Hall, London, SE1 to the Shirayama Corporation of Japan; whether interest on the sum has been (a) paid and (b) requested; when the balance is due; and if he will make a statement.

Keith Hill: The contract for the sale of County Hall provided for a deferred sum of £10 million to be paid to the London Residuary Body from April 1997, subject to the full sum being paid by 2012. Following the winding up of the London Residuary Body on 29 March 1996, the London Borough of Bromley inherited the remaining rights and liabilities in respect of County Hall, including those in relation to the payment of this sum. In accordance with the contractual terms no payment had been made to Bromley before February 2004. On 6 February 2004, after obtaining expert legal and accountancy advice and after consulting the Leader's Committee of the Association of London Government, Bromley agreed to accept immediate payment of £7,800,000 in full and final settlement of the deferred sum. This sum was distributed among the London Boroughs in accordance with the provisions of the London Residuary Body (Winding Up) Order 1996.

Departmental Budget/Expenditure

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will publish a regional breakdown of his Department's budget allocations for 2004–05 for planned (a) revenue and (b) capital expenditure on its (i) housing and homelessness, (ii) neighbourhood renewal and (iii) sustainable communities programmes.

Keith Hill: Information on regional breakdowns of expenditure is gathered annually each spring and published in Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses (PESA). (Cm 6201, April 2004). The data within PESA excludes payments to local authorities, but includes local authority expenditure on departmental programmes, and is recorded against internationally recognised headings using the UN's Classification of Functions of Government (COFOG).
	Earlier this year, as part of the Spending Review, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister collected some additional information in order to provide a full breakdown of proposed budgets by region within its departmental expenditure limits for 2004–05, under functional headings. The estimated breakdown of the relevant budgets at that time for 2004–05 is tabled as follows.
	
		£ million
		
			  Housing and homelessness Neighbourhood renewal Sustainable communities 
			  Resource Capital Resource Capital Resource Capital 
		
		
			 East Midlands 41 146 55 10 47 75 
			 East 38 181 13 4 27 70 
			 London 135 1,209 167 24 164 340 
			 North East 29 130 93 12 96 166 
			 North West 72 383 175 16 150 337 
			 South East 75 392 18 5 59 104 
			 South West 48 167 24 5 57 87 
			 West Midlands 48 204 96 16 99 179 
			 Yorkshire and Humber 47 313 94 11 122 228 
			 Total 533 3,126 733 103 822 1,587 
		
	
	The information in the table and within PESA represents best estimates of the regional breakdowns at the time the data was collected, which was before the start of this financial year. A further analysis for 2004–05, based on budgets following winter supplementary estimates, will be produced by April 2005, and will be published in PESA.

Departmental Budget/Expenditure

John Bercow: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on energy costs incurred by his Department in each of the last two years.

Phil Hope: Energy costs incurred by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for the years 2002–3 and 2003–4 are in the following table, along with the corresponding consumption data and average fuel prices. Figures are given separately for electricity and heating fuels, as well as for the total energy.
	The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has traditionally reported energy figures separately for its central estate, the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre and the Government Office Network. For consistency this format has been retained and the data is presented in Tables la, b and c respectively.
	
		Table la: Energy costs, consumption and average prices—The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister
		
			  Costs (£k/y) Consumption (MWh/y) Average price (p/kWh) 
			  2002–03 2003–04 Change (%) 2002–03 2003–04 Change (%) 2002–03 2003–04 Change (%) 
		
		
			 Electricity 941 886 -6 16.862 20.119 19 5.58 4.40 -21 
			 Heating fuels 370 406 10 26.173 30.265 16 1.41 1.34 -5 
			 Total energy 1301 1292 -1 43.035 50.384 17 3.05 2.56 -16 
		
	
	The increase in electrical consumption is due mostly to a rise in occupational density throughout the estate, which has resulted in increased load on the air conditioning systems. Increased use of the two gas fired Combined Heat and Power installations has also resulted in an increased use of gas, which for the purpose of this answer has been included as a heating fuel.
	
		Table 1b: Energy costs, consumption and average prices—QEII Conference Centre
		
			  Costs (£k/y) Consumption (MWh/y) Average price (p/kWh) 
			  2002–03 2003–04 Change (%) 2002–03 2003–04 Change (%) 2002–03 2003–04 Change(%) 
		
		
			 Electricity 229 330 45 6.532 7.838 20 3.50 4.22 20 
			 Heating fuels 43 62 46 4.754 4.655 -2 0.90 1.34 49 
			 Total energy 271 393 45 11.287 12.494 11 2.41 3.14 31 
		
	
	The energy used in the Conference Centre is dependent on the commercial activities undertaken. Recent refurbishment of the air-conditioning systems should improve the Centre's overall efficiency.
	
		Table 1c: Energy costs, consumption and average prices—Government Office Network
		
			  Costs (£M/y) Consumption (MWh/y) Average price (p/kWh) 
			  2002–03 2003–04 Change (%) 2002–03 2003–04 Change (%) 2002–03 2003–04 Change (%) 
		
		
			 Electricity 238 306 29 6.231 5.213 -16 3.82 5.88 54 
			 Heating fuels 64 81 26 6.670 4.891 -27 0.96 1.65 72 
			 Total energy 302 387 28 12.901 10.105 -22 2.34 3.83. 64 
		
	
	Government Offices have increased their usage of electricity from renewable sources, which carry a premium. This has led to an increase in the cost of their energy, despite a reduction in the amount used.
	The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's electricity costs have risen by 8 per cent. overall, despite a small decrease in average price, due to a 12 per cent. rise in consumption. Heating fuel costs have risen by 15 per cent., mainly due to a 9 per cent. increase in price.
	The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is investigating options for reducing energy consumption across the estate. Surveys of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's main office buildings are being undertaken and action plans for fuel reduction produced. Early indications from these reports confirm that increased use of IT along with higher staff occupation rates per sq. m and therefore higher IT and air conditioning loads are the main contributory factors.
	Although the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has overall responsibility for the buildings occupied by Government Offices, they carry out functions on behalf of ten Government Departments.

Departmental Budget/Expenditure

John Bercow: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the cost was of (a) in-house canteen and (b) other catering services provided by his Department in each of the last two years.

Phil Hope: With the exception of The Planning Inspectorate's office in Bristol, the catering services within the buildings of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister are contracted out on a non-cost basis, with the contractors recovering their costs through income from the services.
	The cost of catering services to the Planning Inspectorate in Bristol in each of the last two years are listed in the following table:
	
		
			  £ 
		
		
			 2002–03 55,520 
			 2003–04 48,174

Departmental Budget/Expenditure

John Bercow: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the total cost to his Department was for the use of external consultants in each of the last two years.

Phil Hope: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Member for Pontefract and Castleford (Yvette Cooper) on 24 May 2004, Official Report, column 1433W.

Departmental Files

Julian Lewis: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what changes have been promulgated in each of the past five years to the guidelines or other criteria for the retention or destruction of departmental files.

Phil Hope: Since May 2002, when the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister was formed, 44 schedules have been put in place for the disposal of records which are specific to its administrative activities. It also disposes of its records in accordance with over 20 guidance notes produced by The National Archives (TNA) over the last five years, covering disposal schedules, managing records in the electronic environment, as well as overarching records management guidance. Further details of this guidance can be found on TNA's website at: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/recordsmanagement/advice

Domestic Violence

Vera Baird: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what steps he is taking to ensure that (a) Supporting People scheme reviews of local women's refuges are consistent across the country, (b) Supporting People reviews are undertaken by officers who have been trained in domestic violence and (c) the national network of refuges will be (i) sustained and (ii) developed.

Keith Hill: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is working in partnership with Woman's Aid to provide training to all administering authorities on reviewing domestic violence services. This will provide consistency at a national level and ensure that officers are appropriately trained.
	Domestic Violence services have been "designated" which means that the approval of the Secretary of State, my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister, must be sought prior to any Supporting People funding being withdrawn. Administering Authorities must produce a five year strategy for submission to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister by March 2005. These strategies will identify local needs and priorities and we will analyse these to ensure that the disadvantaged groups have not been marginalised. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister will also monitor the implementation and development of the strategy.

East of England Regional Chamber

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many members the East of England Regional Chamber has; and how much members are paid, including expenses.

Nick Raynsford: The voluntary East of England Regional Assembly has 107 members.
	Information relating to member payments and expenses is not held centrally as it is a matter for the assembly.

East of England Regional Chamber

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many unelected representatives there are in the East of England Regional Chamber; and who appointed each unelected representative.

Nick Raynsford: The voluntary East of England Regional Assembly has 33 unelected members representing social, economic and environmental stakeholders. The full list of bodies invited by the East of England Regional Assembly to nominate stakeholders is listed as follows:
	East of England Business Group (five places)
	East of England Environment Forum (three places)
	AUEE—Association of Universities in the East of England (one place)
	TUC Regional Council (two places)
	Consumer Interests—Watervoice (one place)
	Living East, the Regional Cultural Consortium (three places)
	Regional Grouping of National Housing Federation (one place)
	Broads Authority (one place)
	COVER—Community and Voluntary Sector Eastern Region (five places)
	Sustainable Development Round Table (one place)
	ACER—Association of Colleges in the East of England (one place)
	East of England Faiths Leadership Conference (one place)
	Consumer Interests—Rail Passengers
	Committee East of England (one place)
	Regional NHS Confederation (two places)
	BENSCH (Regional Grouping of Parish Councils) (one place)
	Plus a further four co-opted places

East of England Regional Chamber

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many staff were employed by the East of England Regional Chamber in each of the last two years; and what the total staff costs were in each year.

Nick Raynsford: At the end of the 2003–04 financial year the voluntary East of England Regional Assembly employed 35.5 members of staff.
	The assembly currently employs 45 members of staff. The total salary budget for the financial year 2003–04 was £1,454,661 and for the current financial year is £1,722,502.

Energy Efficiency

John Battle: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what representations he has received concerning the incorporation of (a) micro generation of renewable energy, (b) domestic combined heat and power units and (c) energy conserving building techniques in the building regulations; and if he will make a statement.

Phil Hope: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has received representations on these matters in response to the consultation last summer on proposals to revise the energy efficiency provisions in the Building Regulations in England and Wales. All the responses received will shortly be made available for inspection in the Library of the House. We are, with advice from the Building Regulations Advisory Committee, reconsidering the proposals in the light of the points made with the aim of enabling the Government to lay amending legislation next summer.

Energy Efficiency

Sue Doughty: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether he has received the results of the survey undertaken for the Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homes regarding levels of compliance with the 2002 changes under Part L of the Buildings Regulations; and if he will make a statement.

Phil Hope: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has received the results of this survey which add to its own findings that there is cause for concern. The Government gave a commitment in the Energy White Paper to working with local authorities to see whether and how enforcement of the Building Regulations can be cost-effectively improved. Work is in progress as part of the current review of Part L and measures being considered include better guidance, dissemination and training, and expansion of the approved competent persons schemes.

European Union Decade of Roma

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what national targets he has set for improvements in the (a) economic status and (b) social inclusion of the gypsy and traveller communities for the duration of the European Union Decade of Roma Inclusion to be launched in 2005; and what progress he has made towards the establishment of the information base from which to draw comparative data.

Keith Hill: The Decade of Roma Inclusion is an initiative involving eight states in central and south-east Europe with the objective of speeding up and improving the social inclusion and the economic status of the Roma in those countries. The United Kingdom is not a participant.
	However, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is involved in a similar initiative which aims to improve the lives of gypsies and travellers in England. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's Social Exclusion Unit has recently begun work on a project focusing on improving service delivery for people who move frequently or have traditionally maintained a mobile lifestyle. The project's remit covers a number of different groups, including gypsies and travellers. The project output will be an analysis of the problem and an action plan for improvement, agreed across Government.

Fire and Rescue

Roger Gale: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list (a) national incidents, (b) incidents in the South East region and (c) new dimension scale incidents involving fire and rescue services that have taken place during each of the past 10 years, broken down by (i) date and (ii) location.

Nick Raynsford: The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Freedom of Information

Julian Lewis: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether it is the policy of the Department to retain for the benefit of future (a) historians and (b) applicants under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 the same (i) complete categories of files, (ii) numbers of files and (iii) representative examples of files from categories of files destroyed as had been preserved prior to the passage of that Act.

Phil Hope: In accordance with the Public Records Act 1958 S.3, the selection of records of enduring historical value for permanent preservation at The National Archives (TNA) will continue to take place in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister under the guidance and supervision of TNA staff. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister will also comply with the Code of Practice on Records Management, issued by the Lord Chancellor under S.46 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, which underlines the importance of having clear selection policies and disposal schedules in place.

Green Belt

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans the Government have to alter the green belt designation.

Keith Hill: None. The process for designating green belts remains as set out in Planning Policy Guidance note (PPG)2. The Government have set a target to maintain or increase the extent of green belt designated in development plans in each English region. Since 1997 there has been a net increase of 19,300 hectares in the total area of green belts designated in development plans in England.

Homelessness

Tom Cox: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many people within the Greater London area are classified as homeless; and what the figures have been in each of the last three years.

Keith Hill: Information collected about local authorities' actions under homelessness legislation is in respect of households, rather than persons. Estimates of the number of households accepted as eligible for assistance, unintentionally homeless and in priority need, by London boroughs during 2003–04, is tabled as follows.
	
		London
		
			  Households accepted as homeless(44) 
		
		
			 2001–02 30,470 
			 2002–03 31,320 
			 2003–04 31,530 
		
	
	(44) Households eligible under homelessness legislation and found to be unintentionally homeless and in a priority need category.
	Source:
	ODPM P1E homelessness returns (quarterly)

Homelessness

Tom Cox: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much financial assistance has been spent on assisting rough sleepers in the Greater London area in each of the last three years.

Phil Hope: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister provides grants to local authorities and voluntary and community sector organisations to support their work in sustaining the rough sleeping target, eliminate the long-term use of bed and breakfast hotels for homeless families with children and to tackle homelessness more effectively.
	The level of these grants provided to local authorities and voluntary and community sector agencies working in London is tabled as follows:
	
		(£ million)
		
			 Period Funding (capital and revenue) 
		
		
			 2002–03 (45)46.8 
			 2003–04 (45)40.8 
			 2004–05 (46)43.1 
		
	
	(45) Actual
	(46) Budget
	There are close links between tackling these manifestations of homelessness, it is not therefore possible to provide details of grants used exclusively on assisting rough sleepers.

Housing

Andrew Smith: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what criteria he applies to the acceptability of plans for housing in the Green Belt.

Keith Hill: The national planning policy criteria for proposed development within the Green Belt are set out in Planning Policy Guidance note (PPG) 2, Green Belts. Where a local planning authority proposes to allocate through the development plan land for housing provision, for example, as an urban extension, which would be inappropriate development in the Green Belt, it will first be necessary to alter the Green Belt boundary. Such an alteration should only be made in exceptional circumstances and, if proposed, my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister (the First Secretary of State) will wish to be satisfied that the authority has considered opportunities for development within the urban areas contained by and beyond the Green Belt.
	PPG2 makes clear that there is a general presumption against inappropriate development in the Green Belt, which should not be approved, except in very special circumstances. Where a major new housing development is proposed within the existing Green Belt, it is for the applicant to demonstrate that very special circumstances exist which clearly outweigh the harm that such inappropriate development would cause to the Green Belt.
	My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister will attach substantial weight to the harm to the Green Belt when considering any planning application that comes before him for inappropriate development within the Green Belt.
	When considering an application for new housing, a planning authority should also have regard to the policies in PPG3, Housing.

Local Government Finance

Andrew Smith: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much Government grant was given to Oxfordshire county council in each of the last 10 years.

Nick Raynsford: The amount of Government grant given to Oxfordshire County council in each of the last 10 years is shown in the table.
	
		
			  Government grants (£000) 
		
		
			 1995–96 237,103 
			 1996–97 244,165 
			 1997–98 252,623 
			 1998–99 266,984 
			 1999–2000 274,628 
			 2000–01 304,926 
			 2001–02 323,800 
			 2002–03 340,102 
			 2003–04 386,752 
			 2004–05 429,213 
		
	
	Note:
	These figures are not strictly comparable over time, as they are not adjusted for changes in local authority function between one year and another.
	The data are outturn figures 1995–96 to 2002–03 and budget data for 2003–04 and 2004–05. The amounts are as reported by the local authority. The grants included are special and specific grants inside Aggregate External Finance, central support protection grant, revenue support grant and redistributed non-domestic rates.

Muscular Dystrophy

Oliver Letwin: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the timetable for his review of grants and allowances for those suffering from muscular dystrophy and their carers.

Keith Hill: The Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) programme, for which the Office Of the Deputy Prime Minister has responsibility, provides mandatory grants to disabled people, including families with disabled children, to help them continue to live independently with their carers in their own homes.
	A wide-ranging Review of the DFG programme, being undertaken jointly between the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, the Department for Education and Skills and the Department of Health is now underway. It will report to Ministers in May 2005 with its conclusions being published in the summer of that year.

National Planning Guidance

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister which national planning guidance notes issued since May 1997 have altered guidance in relation to the green belt.

Keith Hill: Planning Policy Guidance note (PPG) 13, Transport, published on 27 March 2001, amended green belt policy set out in PPG2 to provide additional guidance on Park and Ride schemes in the green belt.

Neighbourhood Renewal

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether the Government Office for the North West was consulted when the neighbourhood renewal funding earmarked for wards with high levels of deprivation was transferred by Liverpool city council for use in the establishment of a city of culture information office in Liverpool city centre.

Phil Hope: The use of Neighbourhood Renewal Funding (NRF) is a matter for local authorities in collaboration with their Local Strategic Partnership (LSP). There is no requirement to consult the Government Office (GO), though GOs do have sight of proposals through their participation in LSPs and in discussion of this particular item the Government Office of the North West sought clarification on the explicit linkage to the neighbourhood renewal strategy.

Regional Spatial Strategies

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether regional spatial strategies require approval by the (a) Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and (b) Government Office for the Region.

Nick Raynsford: Under Part 1 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, Regional Spatial Strategies (RSSs) set out the Secretary of State, my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister's policies for the development and use of land in the region. The draft is prepared by the Regional Planning Body and submitted to the Secretary of State, my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister. My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister usually decides to hold an examination in public and he consults on any changes he proposes before publishing the RSS in its final form. The Government Offices of the Regions carries out the necessary administrative tasks on his behalf.

Rent Assessment Panels

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether decisions on appointments to rent assessment panels may be appealed against.

Keith Hill: There are no independent review procedures that can be applied to appointments to rent assessment panels for which the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has responsibility. However, if an applicant considers that a decision not to appoint them was objectionable on grounds, for example, of gender or race, or the appointment process was irrational or procedurally flawed, there are ways in which decisions can be challenged in an Employment Tribunal or through the Courts. In the first instance, anyone with concerns over the appointment process should contact the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister who will check that appropriate procedures were followed.

Repossessions (Pendle)

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many houses in Pendle were re-possessed as a result of missed mortgage payments in each year since 1990.

Christopher Leslie: I have been asked to reply.
	Information specific to Pendle is not collected. Pendle falls within the jurisdiction of Blackburn county court. The court records the number of orders for repossession made, but not the specific grounds for the proceedings on which they are based.
	The table shows the total number of possession orders made at Blackburn county court, which will include proceedings for properties at Pendle. However, it is not always the case that a possession order will be enforced in every case.
	
		Local authority and other mortgage possession orders made in Blackburn county court
		
			  Suspended orders Orders 
		
		
			 1990 147 153 
			 1991 279 251 
			 1992 212 257 
			 1993 248 209 
			 1994 155 153 
			 1995 198 143 
			 1996 368 198 
			 1997 219 144 
			 1998 310 91 
			 1999 306 125 
			 2000 210 146 
			 2001 192 121 
			 2002 172 132 
			 2003 172 139

Shredding

Norman Baker: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the criteria used to decide which documents and files should be shredded; and what mechanism exists to ensure that documents and files are not destroyed for other reasons.

Phil Hope: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister keeps records for as long as they are needed for administrative and business purposes. Records of enduring historical value are selected for permanent preservation under the guidance and supervision of The National Archives on the basis of guidelines which are published on The National Archives website at: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/recordsmanagement/advice.

Sick Leave

George Osborne: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many days sick leave were taken by civil servants in his Office in each year since 1997; and what the sickness absence rate was in each year.

Phil Hope: I refer the hon. Member to the figures contained in the annual report "Analysis of Sickness Absence in the Civil Service" published by the Cabinet Office.
	Table A of this report gives details of both the average working days absence per staff year and the number of staff years on which that calculation is based. The most recent statistics (for calendar year 2003) were announced by written ministerial statement on 1 November 2004, Official Report, column 1WS and copies placed in the Libraries of the House.
	Although the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister did not come into existence until 2002 the reports for the years 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002 for all major Civil Service departments are available on the Cabinet Office website at: http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/management_information/conditions_of_service/caje/publications/index.asp#sickness
	I should also like to take this opportunity to reinforce our commitment to managing sickness absence effectively and to putting in place the recommendations of the recently published "Managing Sickness Absence in the Public Sector".

Social Housing

Tom Cox: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the waiting lists for social housing for each local authority in the Greater London area are; and if he will make a statement.

Keith Hill: Local authorities in England report the numbers of households on their housing waiting list (excluding tenants awaiting a transfer) as at 1 April in their annual Housing Strategy Statistical Appendix return. Local authorities sometimes maintain a common waiting list with the Housing Association/s in their district. However, information is not held centrally where a Housing Association maintains a separate waiting list to the local authority.
	The latest information, for 2004, is tabled as follows for the 33 London boroughs:
	
		Households on the housing waiting list at 1 April 2004
		
			 Local authority Number of households 
		
		
			 Barking and Dagenham 3,149 
			 Barnet(47) 10,732 
			 Bexley(47) 4,404 
			 Brent 15,504 
			 Bromley 3,866 
			 Camden 15,757 
			 City of London 914 
			 Croydon(47) 8,067 
			 Ealing 12,808 
			 Enfield 12,584 
			 Greenwich 6,710 
			 Hackney 11,016 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham(47) 7,874 
			 Haringey 16,920 
			 Harrow 4,333 
			 Havering 2,384 
			 Hillingdon(47) 6,910 
			 Hounslow 7,088 
			 Islington 6,871 
			 Kensington and Chelsea(47) 8,326 
			 Kingston upon Thames(47) 4,465 
			 Lambeth 12,847 
			 Lewisham(47) 17,497 
			 Merton 4,834 
			 Newham 19,503 
			 Redbridge 4,766 
			 Richmond upon Thames(47) 4,868 
			 Southwark 6,657 
			 Sutton 2,145 
			 Tower Hamlets(47) 14,575 
			 Waltham Forest 9,016 
			 Wandsworth 6,672 
			 Westminster 5,667 
			 London 279,729 
		
	
	(47) Denotes that the local authority has a common waiting list with the Housing Association/s in their area.
	Source:
	ODPM's Housing Strategy Statistical Appendix return.

Social Housing

Edward Davey: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what proportion of the additional £430 million Housing Corporation social housing grant available annually for new affordable housing from 2007–08 would previously have been available as local authority social housing grant.

Keith Hill: The additional housing funding for 2007–08 agreed in the 2004 Spending Review reflects a balance between the need to increase the provision of affordable housing and for prudent management of public finances. There was no link between with considerations in the Spending Review and the past affordable housing funding programmes.

Taskforces

Julian Lewis: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much his Department spent on taskforces and similar bodies in each year since 1997.

Phil Hope: The information requested is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Wandsworth

Tom Cox: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much Government money has been provided to the London borough of Wandsworth in each of the last five years.

Nick Raynsford: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Romford (Mr. Rosindell) on 19 October 2004, Official Report, columns 572–73W.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Category A Prisoners

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures he has taken to prevent escapes of Category A prisoners.

Paul Goggins: A wide range of security measures are taken by the Prison Service to prevent escapes of Category A prisoners. These include physical security, heightened searching arrangements, close movement control, as well as intelligence gathering and close cooperation with other agencies.
	There have been no escapes of category A prisoners since 1995.

Women Prisoners

Meg Munn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to reduce the number of women serving short-term prison sentences.

Paul Goggins: The Women's Offending Reduction Programme, published in March 2004, is focused on improving community based interventions for women in order to encourage a greater use of community disposals rather than short prison sentences. This work is set in the context of the new sentencing framework which aims to ensure that custody is reserved only for the most serious and persistent offenders.

Identity Cards

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the estimated cost of an identity card scheme.

Des Browne: The cost of biometric passports is estimated to be £415 million per annum by 2008–09. Reusing passport infrastructure for ID cards saves money on issuing both separately. The cost of introducing ID cards for UK citizens on top of passport cost is £85 million. We estimate an additional £50 million per annum to provide verification services.
	In addition, as we set out in November 2003, we estimate set-up costs in the first three years to be £186 million. There will be some additional costs beyond this period. We are continuing to work on these estimates and will inform the House when we are in a position to provide updated figures.

Identity Cards

Bill O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the conclusions of the Home Office Science and Technology Reference Group's examination of the identity cards programme.

Des Browne: The Home Office Science and Technology Reference group has not reached any conclusions about the Identity Cards Programme. The Group recognises there are a number of scientific and technical challenges that the programme will be tackling and it will be following up its initial discussion of the Identity Cards Programme at a later date. This is in addition to the follow-up discussions already held between some members of the Science and Technology Reference Group and Identity Card Programme staff. The Government's Chief Scientific Adviser will also be chairing an external panel to provide systematic peer review of the scientific and technical advice provided to the Identity Cards Programme.

Identity Cards

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what entitlement British nationals who are long-term residents abroad will have to the identity cards proposed by the Government.

Des Browne: The Identity Cards scheme is for British citizens resident in the UK and foreign nationals resident for more than three months. British citizens resident overseas will only need to obtain a card at such time as they return to live in the UK.

Identity Cards

Bill O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions in the last two years (a) he, (b) his Ministers and (c) officials in his Department have met (i) Aurora Computer Services Ltd. and (ii) other companies involved in providing biometric technology.

Des Browne: According to our records the Identity Cards Programme has not had any formal meetings with Aurora Computer Services Ltd. However, this does not exclude the possibility that Home Office officials have encountered this company when they have attended, or spoken at, conferences or other such meetings. The Identity Cards Programme has met with a range of companies, including those involved in providing biometric technology, as part of its market sounding activities and anticipates meeting with many more before a formal procurement is announced. Market sounding is the process of assessing the reaction of the market to a proposed requirement and procurement approach, and is recognised as best practice in Government procurement.
	Market sounding focuses on suppliers as a whole, rather than the merits of individual suppliers. It includes no element of supplier selection (choosing suitable suppliers) or bid evaluation (looking at proposals, technical solutions or prices). There is no commitment of any kind involved—on either side nor any advantage to be gained by a supplier by getting involved. Further it is stressed that there is no formal procurement under way at the moment as the Identity Cards Bill is still before Parliament. Priority for market sounding to date has been given to the smartcard and biometric sectors where the technology is developing quickly, standards are evolving and there is uncertainty about future trends.

Identity Cards

Bill O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research he has conducted into the potential benefits of a national identity database for combating (a) crime and (b) illegal immigration; and if he will make a statement.

Des Browne: A Regulatory Impact Assessment was published at the time of the introduction of the Identity Cards Bill. This set out in detail the potential benefits of the identity cards scheme including the National Identity Register, in combating crime and illegal immigration. This analysis was the result of discussions with key user groups, stakeholders and the consultations that we have undertaken on the principle of identity cards as well as the draft Identity Cards Bill over the past two and a half years.
	The identity cards scheme will contribute in the following ways to combating crime: helping to disrupt the support networks of organised criminal operations which rely extensively on the use of multiple identities; encouraging verifiable proof of identity when conducting major financial transactions; providing the capability for law enforcement agencies to be provided with information from the National Identity Register, subject to appropriate authorisation procedures and independent oversight; enabling more efficient use of police resources when dealing with routine identification of individuals with their consent; and checking of fingerprint biometric information at scenes of crime in unsolved cases.
	The identity cards scheme will also reduce the illegal immigration "pull factor" by providing a straightforward means to record and verify the immigration status of all residents aged 16 and over. This will allow service providers and employers to make checks more easily without specialised knowledge of immigration rules.

Identity Cards

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to combat the production of counterfeit identity cards in the event of the introduction of identity cards.

Des Browne: holding answer 7 December 2004
	The Identity Cards Bill published on 29 November, includes at Clause 27 new offences relating to making or possessing false identity documents such as UK, and foreign, identity cards, passports and driving licences. These offences include not only "false" documents as defined in the Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981 but also to documents that belong to another person or that have been improperly obtained.
	Where it is proved that a person has intent to use these documents, a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment would apply. Where there is no intent, but the accused has no reasonable excuse for having such documentation in his possession, a maximum penalty of two years imprisonment will apply. The introduction of these penalties will ensure that the police are able to take action against those who attempt to produce false identity cards.
	In addition, the introduction of a sophisticated identity checking process, coupled with the recording of biometric information which is unique to an individual will counter attempts by a person to obtain more than one identity card under different names.
	In its response to the Home Affairs Committee report on Identity Cards (Cm6359), the Government said that it would examine the feasibility of whether the verification service should operate predominantly in an on-line mode. Even if a good quality forged identity card was produced, it would be detected by on-line verification as there would be no associated record held on the National Identity Register against which its validity could be confirmed.

Antisocial Behaviour

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations he has received concerning antisocial behaviour towards homeowners by groups of adolescents under 16 years of age.

Hazel Blears: This is an issue of great concern to residents in many areas.
	The Government has provided the tools for police and local councils to effectively tackle antisocial behaviour no matter where people live. Many enforcement powers, for example Acceptable Behaviour Contracts, Dispersal Orders and Antisocial Behaviour Orders, are available, regardless of the perpetrator's or the victims housing status.

Airguns

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to bring forward proposals (a) to make the sale of all types of airguns to under-18s illegal and (b) to license the general sale of airguns.

Caroline Flint: Our consultation paper on control of firearms explained the range of controls on the sale and use of air weapons, and the changes we have made to the age at which young people may possess or use an air weapon without adult supervision, and to their possession in a public place without reasonable excuse. Respondents were asked to say whether they agreed or not that further restrictions would be disproportionate. We received a large number of responses on this and other questions; these are being carefully considered.

Burgled Householders (Prosecutions)

John Pugh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many convicted burglars have successfully sued householders whose houses they have attempted to burgle following incidents occurring during the break in, in (a) the last year, (b) the last three years, (c) the last five years and (d) the last 10 years.

Christopher Leslie: I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested is not available centrally and can be provided only at disproportionate cost to the Department.

Class A Drugs

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average sentence was in each of the last six years for people charged with supplying Class A drugs to children.

Caroline Flint: Figures on the average sentence for people charged with supplying Class A drugs to children are not collated. However we do have data on the average sentence for people sentenced to immediate custody for unlawful supply by principal drug offence.
	This information, which can be accessed via the Research Development and Statistics website, can be found in the Home Office Drug Seizure and Offender Statistics Supplementary Tables publications as follows:
	
		
			 Year Source Location 
		
		
			 1997 http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/  rds/pdfs/899supps.pdf Tables S2.6 
			 1998 http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/  rds/pdfs/hosb300supps.pdf Tables S2.6 
			 1999 http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/  rds/pdfs/hosb501supp.pdf Tables S2.6 
			 2000 http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/  rds/pdfs2/hosb402supp.pdf Tables S2.6 
			 2001 and 2002 http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/  rds/pdfs04/hosb0804supp.pdf Tables S2.6a and S2.6b

Class A Drugs

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were arrested for dealing in Class A drugs in each of the last six years.

Caroline Flint: Figures for the number of people arrested for dealing is not collated for total Class A drugs. However, we do have figures for the total number of people arrested for dealing for the main Class A drug type. These are taken from newly constructed tables and data is therefore only available for 2001 and 2002.
	This information can be found in Table 3.6 on page 101 of the Home Office Drug Seizure and Offender Statistics which can be accessed via the RDS website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs04/hosb0804.pdf

Correspondence

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to the question from the hon. Member for Cotswold, tabled on 29 November, ref 201515, regarding applicants for British citizenship serving abroad in the United Kingdom armed forces.

Des Browne: I replied to the hon. Member on 15 December 2004, Official Report, column 1163W.

Cycling

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cyclists have been charged in Greater London for riding bicycles during the hours of darkness with no visible lighting being displayed in the last period for which figures are available.

Caroline Flint: Charges may not lead to proceedings. Statistics of defendants charged with crimes are not collected centrally.
	In 2003, one cyclist was proceeded against at magistrates courts in Greater London for lighting and reflector offences under the Road Traffic Act 1988 Sec 81 and Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations 1989.
	Statistics on numbers proceeded against for 2004 will be available in autumn 2005.

Demography

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his latest estimate is of the number of people who (a) move home and (b) get married in a year.

Keith Hill: I have been asked to reply.
	Using data from the Survey of English Housing, it is estimated that in 2003–04 there were 2,630,000 moves by households in England.
	The provisional figure for the number of marriages in England is 242,000 in 2002, which is the latest estimate provided by the Office for National Statistics. An estimate for 2003 will be published in the summer of 2005.

HGV Drivers

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans the Government have to bring forward proposals to include heavy goods vehicle drivers as a shortage occupation for the purposes of work permit arrangements; and if he will make a statement.

Des Browne: There are no plans to include heavy goods vehicle drivers as a shortage occupation. Such posts do not normally meet the criteria of the work permit arrangements.

Immigration

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people are waiting for decisions on their applications for permanent leave to remain in the United Kingdom.

Des Browne: Currently, management information shows we have approximately 19,000 applications for indefinite leave to remain awaiting consideration in General Group, Managed Migration. In addition, there are further cases where we are considering enforcement action.

Immigration

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his letter of 15 September to the hon. Member for Banbury, if his Department will confirm the immigration status of Amer Ali.

Des Browne: A decision on Mr. All's immigration status has been made and a letter confirming the outcome was sent to him on 3 December care of his legal representatives.

Immigration

John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many children are being held in detention solely under Immigration Act powers; and how many of these have been held for more than 28 days in each removal centre;
	(2)  how many children have been held in detention solely under Immigration Act powers since his announcement that children will not be detained for more than 28 days without ministerial consent; and how many of these have been held for more than 28 days in each removal centre.

Des Browne: Information on the total number of children detained under Immigration Act powers since the announcement in October 2003 that children will not be detained for more than 28 days without ministerial consent is not available.
	On 25 September 2004, 40 children were detained solely under Immigration Act powers. 79 per cent. had been in detention for 28 days or less and the remainder had been detained for less than four months. Of all those children detained, 30 were held at Oakington Reception Centre and five at Tinsley House. The remaining cases were either age dispute cases held at other Immigration Removal centres while their age assessments were being carried out, or young children held at mother and baby units in prisons with their mother while awaiting removal. Further details of these cases (less than three in total) cannot be disclosed due to National Statistics protocols on confidentiality.
	Children and infants are detained as part of family groups, usually just prior to their removal and often for a very few days.
	Information on the number of people detained solely under Immigration Act powers as at 25 December 2004 will be published on the Home Office website in February 2005.
	www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.

Immigration Control (Domestic Violence)

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will change the immigration and benefits rules to exempt victims of domestic violence subject to immigration control from the no recourse to public funds provision.

Des Browne: Persons still subject to immigration control are excluded from access to public funds under section 115 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 and we do not feel that it would be appropriate to make an exception for this particular group. It could lead to people making fraudulent applications, which would not benefit the real victims of domestic violence.
	However, we are providing the means by which victims attempting to leave a violent relationship can get access to refuge accommodation. This year we have given a total of £80,000 to Women's Aid towards their last resort fund. Refuges can apply for financial support from the fund to cover the rent and living expenses of women who are making an application for indefinite leave to remain because of domestic violence.

Information Misuse

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many instances of misuse of computer information and databases by (a) civil servants, (b) police officers and (c) immigration officials have been recorded by his Department in each year since 1997.

Fiona Mactaggart: This information is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Negligent Driving (New Offence)

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will bring forward proposals to introduce an offence of causing death by negligent driving.

Paul Goggins: We have commissioned a review of road traffic offences to cover all levels of bad driving. It is largely complete but there are a number of issues which require further careful consideration before a consultation paper can be published. We intend to publish the consultation paper shortly.

North Yorishire Police

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on funding for North Yorkshire Police for 2005–06.

Hazel Blears: I announced details of the provisional police funding settlement for next year on 2 December. North Yorkshire Police Authority will receive general grants totalling £75.4 million, an increase of £2.7 million or 3.75 per cent. over 2004–05. Because of the grant floor, the authority receives £2.9 million than it otherwise would. In addition to general grants, North Yorkshire will receive around £6.2 million in specific grants for targeted programmes.

Passports

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of the (a) adult and (b) total population of the UK held a passport in each of the last 20 years.

Des Browne: holding answer 6 December 2004
	The table indicates within a range (a) the percentage of the adult population aged 16 and over and (b) the percentage of the total population of the UK that held a valid passport in each of the last 20 years.
	
		Percentage
		
			  (a) Adult population holding passports (b) Total UK population holding passports 
		
		
			 2003 72–84 69–79 
			 2002 70–82 66–76 
			 2001 68–80 62–72 
			 2000 65–77 59–68 
			 1999 64–76 55–65 
			 1998 62–73 52–61 
			 1997 58–68 49–57 
			 1996 53–63 45–52 
			 1995 48–57 40–47 
			 1994 44–52 37–43 
			 1993 41–48 34–40 
			 1992 — 32–37 
			 1991 — 31–36 
			 1990 — 30–35 
			 1989 — 29–34 
			 1988 — 28–32 
			 1987 — 27–31 
			 1986 — 25–29 
			 1985 — 24–28 
			 1984 — 23–26 
		
	
	The upper end of the range represents the total number of UK passport issues. The lower end of the range represents the minimum number of people holding passports, allowing for the fact that throughout the life of a 10-year adult passport, and 5-year child passport, a certain number of passports will have been replaced before their validity expired (for example to replace lost and stolen passports or to change details on passports). The actual percentage of adult/total population holding a passport therefore lies within these two limits. Prior to 1993 the UKPS only has figures for total passport issues.

Passports

Bill O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the proportion of pensioners who own a passport.

Des Browne: The UK Passport Service estimates that between 50.5 per cent. and 59.5 per cent. of pensioners own a valid passport.

Drugs

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average sentence in each of the last six years was for people charged with supplying Class A drugs.

Caroline Flint: Figures on the average sentence length for people charged with supplying Class A drugs only are not collated. However, we do have data on the average sentence length for people charged with supplying all drugs and average sentence length for people charged for drug offences by type of drug. This information, which can be accessed via the Research Development and Statistics website, can be found in the Home Office Drug Seizure and Offender Statistics Supplementary Tables publications as follows:
	
		
			 Year Source Location 
		
		
			 1997 http://www.homeofice.gov.uk/  rds/pdfs/899supps.pdf Tables S2.6 and S2.12 
			 1998 http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/  rds/pdfs/hosb300supps.pdf Tables S2.6 and S2.12 
			 1999 http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/  rds/pdfs/hosb501supp.pdf Tables S2.6 and S2.12 
			 2000 http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/  rds/pdfs2/hosb402supp.pdf Tables S2.6 and S2.12 
			 2001 and 2002 http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/  rds/pdfs04/hosb0804supp.pdf Tables S2.6a, S2.6b and S2.12a, S2.12b 
		
	
	This data is only available online for the last five years.

Port Security

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many weapons have been seized at ports of entry to the United Kingdom in each year since 1997, broken down by (a) type of weapon and (b) location of seizure.

Dawn Primarolo: I have been asked to reply.
	The table shows the number of weapons seized by HM Customs and Excise each year since 1996–97. The figures include all weapons within the definition of a firearm in the Firearms Act 1968 but exclude parts of firearms. Offensive weapons include knives, knuckledusters, swordsticks, and certain martial arts weapons. Customs have central records of offensive weapons seizures only for 2001–02 and 2003–04.
	
		
			 Financial Year Rifles and handguns Shotguns Self defence sprays Stun guns Offensive Weapons 
		
		
			 1996–97 532 32 3,452 120 Not available 
			 1997–98 507 362 4,248 344 Not available 
			 1998–99 189 51 2,343 106 Not available 
			 1999–00 512 129 1,169 101 Not available 
			 2000–01 211 44 2,428 114 Not available 
			 2001–02 415 219 1,237 144 2,045 
			 2002–03 228 36 866 255 Not available 
			 2003–04 285 8 609 672 2,999 
		
	
	A breakdown by location is not available. However, Customs' own analysis of the calendar years 2002 and 2003 has identified the following ports of entry where complete firearms (other than shotguns and parts) were seized:
	Aberdeen Airport
	Avonmouth
	Belfast International Airport
	Birmingham Airport
	Bristol Airport
	Brize Norton
	Coventry International Hub
	Coquelles
	Dover
	Edinburgh Airport
	East Midlands Airport
	Falmouth
	Felixstowe
	Glasgow Airport
	Harwich
	Hull
	Immingham
	Kings Lynn
	Gatwick Airport
	Heathrow Airport
	Liverpool Docks
	Lyneham
	Medway
	Manchester Letter Office of Exchange
	Mount Pleasant
	Newcastle Airport
	Plymouth
	Poole
	Portsmouth
	RAF Leeming
	Ramsgate
	Southampton
	Stansted Airport
	Tilbury

Press Releases

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many press releases have been issued by his Department in each month of 2004; and if he will make a statement.

Fiona Mactaggart: The number of press releases, including regional and local press releases, issued by month are as follows:
	
		Press release breakdown 2004(48) 
		
			  Home Office Prison Service Her Majesty's Inspectorate of: Prisons/Probation/Constabulary 
		
		
			 January 46 1 6 
			 February 47 0 4 
			 March 52 0 11 
			 April 23 3 9 
			 May 30 2 5 
			 June 18 (49)21 9 
			 July 51 2 13 
			 August 9 9 8 
			 September 27 0 8 
			 October 31 0 8 
			 November 31 2 1 
		
	
	(48) To 25 November.
	(49) Separate regional press notices were sent out to announce nominations for prison officer of the year.

Sentencing Guidelines

Angela Watkinson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations he has received on altering sentencing guidelines for murder.

Mr. Clarke: Sentencing guidelines are a matter for the independent Sentencing Guidelines Council. Schedule 21 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 sets out robust principles to which judges must have regard when setting the minimum custodial term to be served by the offender within the mandatory life sentence.
	The revised guideline published on 16 December 2004 makes a separate provision for murder which rules out any reduction in the most heinous (whole life tariff) cases, halves the maximum reduction available in other cases and emphasises that the tariff as a whole must accurately reflect the seriousness of the offence.

Special Advisers

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether departmental special advisers have made speeches in their official capacity since May 1997.

Charles Clarke: Any speeches made by special advisers in an official capacity are conducted in accordance with the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers.

Special Advisers

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether departmental special advisers have been responsible for authorising instances of departmental spending since May 1997.

Charles Clarke: I refer the hon. Member to the answer provided by my hon. Friend the Member for South Shields (Mr. Miliband) on 16 December 2004, Official Report, column 1258W.

Special Advisers

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether departmental special advisers have given instructions to permanent civil servants without the explicit authorisation of Ministers since May 1997.

Charles Clarke: I refer the hon. Member to the answer provided by my hon. Friend the Member for South Shields (Mr. Miliband) on 16 December 2004, Official Report, column 1258W.

Special Advisers

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether departmental special advisers have written to external (a) bodies and (b) individuals in their official capacity since May 1997.

Charles Clarke: I refer the hon. Member to the answer provided by my right hon. Friend the Member for Bolton, West (Ruth Kelly) on 14 December 2004, Official Report, column 1004W.

Special Advisers

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether departmental special advisers have made appearances before parliamentary select committees in their official capacity since May 1997.

Charles Clarke: No special advisers from this Department have made appearances before parliamentary select committees in their official capacity since May 1997.

Vicious and Sex Offenders' Register

Brian Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made on rolling out the Vicious and Sex Offenders' Register.

Paul Goggins: The roll out of ViSOR is progressing well and will be available to all 43 Police Forces in England and Wales by 31 March 2005.
	Access to the system will subsequently be extended to the National Probation Service and the Prison Service in order to ensure effective risk assessment and enhance public protection arrangements.

Young Offenders

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how long it took on average in the last year for which figures are available from arrest to bringing a young offender before courts in the Metropolitan Police Authority area.

Christopher Leslie: I have been asked to reply.
	Information on the time taken for criminal proceedings in magistrates courts is collected by my Department in its quarterly Time Intervals Survey.
	In 2003, the average number of days from arrest to first listing for youth defendants in all criminal cases was 22 days in the Metropolitan Police Force Area. For the year up to September 2004 (the latest survey published) the average was 24 days.